Three

1 Thessalonians 1:17-18 says, "Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  This three point verse reveals three aspects of faith that we have a particularly tough time with in today's culture.  Rejoice always?  Even when I loose my job, there's no money and my spouse is having an affair?  Pray continually?  How do I do that?  I have to work and keep my mind on other aspects of life, don't I?  And how many of us have to admit that we've found ourselves needing the occasional break from "spiritual stuff", if only for a moment?  And we're supposed to give thanks in ALL circumstances?  Even when cancer has been diagnosed?  A child dies?  A home is lost?  Seems completely contrary how our human nature wants to react, doesn't it?  How do we live up to the aspects of this verse?    

I think the answer lies in the last part of this three point verse.  "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  One of the deepest conflicts we have as followers of Christ is that we too often associate our emotions with our faith.  We look to how we feel rather than how we are called to act.  I would venture to say that most of the time, God's will for our lives has nothing to do with how we feel.  So then, as we look at this verse from an outward or purely physical perspective, we can see that it is actually more possible than we might think.

We rejoice always by our countenance, our demeanor, the smile on our face, the words we choose and how we hold our head higher, even when these physical manifestations are 100% contrary to our feelings.  We pray continually by practicing the constant presence of God in our lives.  We remind ourselves each and every moment, that everything we do, think and say is only through the Spirit of the living God.  We begin to see prayer as a constant dialogue through our minds eye.  Our simple awareness becomes prayer because we see God in everything.  And we give thanks in all circumstances, knowing that God can only do good through and within our lives.  1 John 1:5 tells us that "in Him there is no darkness at all."  How can we not give thanks, even in the darkest of times, knowing that God will somehow transcend the circumstance to good?

And these three points build on each other, don't they?  If we find ourselves in a state of constant rejoicing, all the while in constant communication with Him, our natural reaction to to give thanks.  In a cyclical pattern of His will, we see how His Spirit completes us, unites us and is the essence of who we are.

Here's a idea for you as you start the year off with your Life Groups.  Buy some simple "Thank You" cards and bring them with you to your next gathering.  Talk a little about this verse.  Really get into it if you feel led and feel free to use this blog for ideas.  Talk especially about what it means to "give thanks in all circumstances".  Then ask your group to close their eyes and think about what they really have to be thankful for, in the last year and in the New Year to come.  Try and come up with at least 10 things, and remember to stay away from "emotions", but focus more on God's perspective.  Then ask everyone to write these things down in a Thank You card to God.  Ask if anyone wants to share what they've come up with.

Encourage everyone to keep these Thank You cards as reminders that we all have reason to give thanks in all circumstances!  And the amazing thing is that when we begin with God's will, rather than our emotions, we actually begin to feel these things in addition to our actions.