Seriously, I love what I do. I get to spend my life involved in some really awesome stuff.
-I get to meet and build relationships with lots of people.
-I get to help build community with many of those peeps.
-I get to play great worship music with some really talented musicians who are also my friends.
-I get to teach and share the Gospel with people in all kinds of situations- some are "normal", some are crazy; but they are all amazing.
-I get to use what God has given me to serve Him and His kids.
-I get to be a part of starting a brand new church. (This is so cool, I can't find the words.)
-I get to share this adventure with my incredible wife and daughters. (This is also way too cool for words.)
-I get to be the hands and feet of God to some of His creation.
-I get to be His messenger by sharing His Word. (This puts the "awe" in awesome)
-I get to love God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) every single day, and cultivate an abiding connection with Him, that will carry on into eternity.
Do bad things ever happen? Well, sure they do. I suppose I could make a list of those things, too. But why? I mean, we don't exaclty need to be reminded of the bad stuff in our lives, do we? It seems to me that it's the good stuff that can be so easily overlooked.
And I guess that's my point: We get to choose what we focus on.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:4-7
This Scripture doesn't say "pretend things are good," or "change your life by thinking happy thoughts." It is reminding us that God has given us the ability to choose joy- even in difficulty. That our Mighty God is ready to hear our requests, and take up our cause. That He can give us a peace that goes beyond any one's ability to comprehend, and that-even in difficulty-we can be thankful.
So what do you have to be thankful for? My life is in no way trouble-free. But those things I listed above really are amazing to me, and I get to be a part of them all the time!
I'm not telling you that you have to make a list like mine. But an exercise like that sure can put things into perspective.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us. -Romans 8:18
Thanks for praying for C3! Please join us this week in thanking our Great God for all He has done and is doing in His church!
In Him We Live,
Jeff
2 comments:
Yeah, those crazy people are something else, huh? Good thing I'm normal...
"Our God is an Awesome God and I have 10,000 pennies!"
I meant the situations, not the people. But thanks for making my miscommunication a self-fulfilling prophecy. "I have 10,000 pennies." Good grief, you crack me up!
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