Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 AMP)
REFLECTION
There are degrees of delight and enjoyment. I enjoy all forms of beauty. Nature and animals make me smile. Creating and sharing something beautiful and meaningful fills me with hopeful joy. A moment of real connection with someone brings deep delight. Every good thing we enjoy is a gift from God, but when we make the obvious object or experience of happiness our core focus then we run the risk of turning a beautiful gift into ugly idolatry, which leads to destruction and despair. So let’s be aware of and enjoy the many blessings bestowed on us, but always trace the gifts to the Giver and keep our heart attached to Him, the very Source of joy and all manner of glorious goodness. For He alone is perfect and when our delight is first and foremost in Him, we won’t be disappointed and our enjoyment in the gifts He gives us becomes so much more meaningful. Blessings we can see are temporal and are meant to point us to blessings that are unseen and eternal.
So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable. (2 Corinthians 4:18 AMP)
PRAYER POEM
LORD, thank You for all the many gifts You give me so freely. May I live a life of true joy as I pursue You and trace every gift to You and Your amazing grace.
