Rejoice always, pray constantly, in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua [Jesus]. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, TLV
Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks. Remember that movie, Eat, Pray, Love? Truthfully, I never saw the movie because once I read the synopsis and saw the trailer — well — it wasn’t my type of movie.
The movie was based on a memoir of a woman who had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having – a husband, a house, a successful career. Yet, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, the woman embarks on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery.
How realistic is that? Let’s talk about the money for that type of adventure. I suppose it is admirable to take brave steps, to push ourselves, but the longing inside her could have been filled without stepping out the door.
For God did not destine us for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. He died for us so that, whether we may be awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. (vss. 9-10, TLV)
Living a contented life in Messiah Jesus is simple: Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks. Simple, but not easy. Each day, every day, we have a myriad of choices to rejoice rather than complain; pray rather than worry; give thanks rather than be dissatisfied.
What if every time we felt a complaint pushing through our lips, we
praised our Father and His Son? When anxiety and “concern” trouble our mind and bodies, we pray? Or when jealousy or want cause us to doubt GOD’s love for us, we remember all He has done for us — beginning with giving His Son over to a horrible death so that we could be His?
Those seemingly little choices can help us truly discover ourselves—redeemed children of the Most High God.
It’s worth trying, don’t you think?
