"Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is god's will for you in Christ Jesus"
"How was your day?"
I don't remember when my kids first asked me this question but I remember being very pleasantly touched and surprised by it. And I still feel the same way even today when they do. I don't take it for granted.
But what is or was my response?
Most of the time, I would say it was ok. Even if it wasn't really. When my kids were younger, it was probably too difficult to explain some of the stresses and issues at work that were bothering me. As they grew older though, it became easier and I also saw it as an opportunity to impart some lessons or insights I learned or gained from the episodes. I also hoped that they understood that we never stop learning (if we are open to the idea!) no matter how old we are. And that I am not perfect :) Though my kids would have already known that a long time ago.
The two ideas (that we never stop learning; and that we are not perfect) are closely intertwined. Of course one can choose to be open to new ideas/experiences/knowledge - but still resist the idea that one can be wrong. This is the perspective that your experience trumps everyone else's, when in reality you may only have experienced one facet of a multi-faceted issue. Which is still probably better than thinking there is nothing to learn and not bothering to try new things.
But the best perspective is to be open to new experiences and at the same time, accept that we have only gained additional insight into issues that we continually try to grasp the essence of, rather than to believe we have stumbled on some universal or definitive truth. This humility will in turn allow us to engage better with others, who may have experienced a different facet of the issue. That willingness to keep an open mind, enriches the discussion and our own insights and perspectives and leads to even greater learning.
What has this got to do with the above passage in Thessalonians?
I am reminded of this now, a few months after taking one of the biggest steps in my life. You know what they say about the greatest causes of stress in life. Getting married, moving to a new home, changing jobs etc. Well I did two of them at the same time!
Moving to a new home is one thing, but moving to another country is a totally different proposition. I told some of my new colleagues that I had a new-found respect for their sacrifice and adaptability in uprooting their lives every so often. It is no doubt exciting living in a new country, experiencing a new culture and getting out of one's comfort zone. But it is also challenging, having to re-organise one's life almost totally, without the support structures that one is used to. And when things don't go as smoothly as expected, one can get easily frustrated.
One of the things that helped me was the simple realization that I should expect that there would be some speed bumps along the way, and that these are all part of the journey. In fact, these are what make the journey richer in experience and in learning, for who learns to master a skill without struggle?
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The other thing that produced an epiphany of sorts was the insight that these were good problems to have, that others did not have the same opportunity I did. Indeed, many would probably ridicule me for even thinking of them as "real" problems. First world problems, as some call them. Real problems are when you don't have a roof over your head, when you can't be sure when your next meal might be, or what it might be. When your loved ones are seriously ill, or have passed on.
Nevertheless, the problems and pressures are real, and have to be dealt with but they become less insurmountable or daunting when viewed with the correct perspective. What's the worst that could happen? We fail? Look foolish? Get knocked down? Get up again, you're never gonna keep me down...sorry couldn't resist. But that's an anthem for resilience. Just ignore the drinking bit.
But whatever the problem is, first world or otherwise, the advice in the Thessalonians reference is spot on. Rejoice always because you are going through the problems for a reason - this is God's will for you. Sometimes He puts us through them because He wants us to change, or wants something that is better for us. But above all we should rejoice because these are just temporal issues and we should be full of thanks (in all circumstances) and praise that God is watching over us.
There is a verse that illustrates what our attitude should be in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Getting angry and upset when things aren't going our way is tantamount to being upset with God. If we are to live our lives in a manner that glorifies Him, what could be more powerful than to find joy even when things are not going well? We need to remember to be of good cheer because we have the peace that He gives us.
Our mission is to tell others the good news. But the messenger is just as important because he reflects the hope that God has given, and his transformed life is a powerful element of the testimony. If we are still full of complaints, angry and bitter about things in our lives, how do we glorify Him?
The two ideas (that we never stop learning; and that we are not perfect) are closely intertwined. Of course one can choose to be open to new ideas/experiences/knowledge - but still resist the idea that one can be wrong. This is the perspective that your experience trumps everyone else's, when in reality you may only have experienced one facet of a multi-faceted issue. Which is still probably better than thinking there is nothing to learn and not bothering to try new things.
But the best perspective is to be open to new experiences and at the same time, accept that we have only gained additional insight into issues that we continually try to grasp the essence of, rather than to believe we have stumbled on some universal or definitive truth. This humility will in turn allow us to engage better with others, who may have experienced a different facet of the issue. That willingness to keep an open mind, enriches the discussion and our own insights and perspectives and leads to even greater learning.
What has this got to do with the above passage in Thessalonians?
I am reminded of this now, a few months after taking one of the biggest steps in my life. You know what they say about the greatest causes of stress in life. Getting married, moving to a new home, changing jobs etc. Well I did two of them at the same time!
Moving to a new home is one thing, but moving to another country is a totally different proposition. I told some of my new colleagues that I had a new-found respect for their sacrifice and adaptability in uprooting their lives every so often. It is no doubt exciting living in a new country, experiencing a new culture and getting out of one's comfort zone. But it is also challenging, having to re-organise one's life almost totally, without the support structures that one is used to. And when things don't go as smoothly as expected, one can get easily frustrated.
One of the things that helped me was the simple realization that I should expect that there would be some speed bumps along the way, and that these are all part of the journey. In fact, these are what make the journey richer in experience and in learning, for who learns to master a skill without struggle?
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The other thing that produced an epiphany of sorts was the insight that these were good problems to have, that others did not have the same opportunity I did. Indeed, many would probably ridicule me for even thinking of them as "real" problems. First world problems, as some call them. Real problems are when you don't have a roof over your head, when you can't be sure when your next meal might be, or what it might be. When your loved ones are seriously ill, or have passed on.
Nevertheless, the problems and pressures are real, and have to be dealt with but they become less insurmountable or daunting when viewed with the correct perspective. What's the worst that could happen? We fail? Look foolish? Get knocked down? Get up again, you're never gonna keep me down...sorry couldn't resist. But that's an anthem for resilience. Just ignore the drinking bit.
But whatever the problem is, first world or otherwise, the advice in the Thessalonians reference is spot on. Rejoice always because you are going through the problems for a reason - this is God's will for you. Sometimes He puts us through them because He wants us to change, or wants something that is better for us. But above all we should rejoice because these are just temporal issues and we should be full of thanks (in all circumstances) and praise that God is watching over us.
There is a verse that illustrates what our attitude should be in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Getting angry and upset when things aren't going our way is tantamount to being upset with God. If we are to live our lives in a manner that glorifies Him, what could be more powerful than to find joy even when things are not going well? We need to remember to be of good cheer because we have the peace that He gives us.
Our mission is to tell others the good news. But the messenger is just as important because he reflects the hope that God has given, and his transformed life is a powerful element of the testimony. If we are still full of complaints, angry and bitter about things in our lives, how do we glorify Him?
No comments:
Post a Comment