Cabbages and Kings

Making the Choice to Rejoice

I'm repeating the "Rejoice" class, and this time I'm determined to pass the course.

After reading the requirements, I went to the Instructor. "You actually expect me to do that?"

He said, "It's tough but...yes." He showed me the requirements again.

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV).

"Okay...so...hummmm...well...gotta start somewhere...but not here. I'm in a hard place and I don't feel like rejoicing."

He said, "You can rejoice by choice. It's a decision—a deliberate act of the will, independent of feeling. What happens will surprise you."

Skeptical, I looked at the assignment: memorize Psalm 9:1-2. A nice little praise passage...I can do that.

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

In hard places I found myself instinctively repeating those words. Surprise! What began as a formality became a habit that flooded me with joy!

Midway through the class the Instructor made it clear God wants me to rejoice and praise him, not because he needs it (the heavens declare his glory), but because I need it.

In situations where I find nothing to rejoice about, I rejoice in him. Rejoicing by decision leads to genuine rejoicing.

I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart! I will be glad and rejoice in you!

I don't expect an "A" but I'm pretty sure I'm going to pass the class.

Rock Bottom

I'm writing from Rock Bottom.

The area lies in a valley just beyond the Dumps, a short distance from Wit's End. It's not accessible from the Main Road but by detour down several secondary roads marked Chip on the Shoulder, Pet Peeves, Snap Judgments, Wrong Conclusions, Hard Feelings, Bad Attitude, and Sour Mood.

I didn't intend to detour. While carrying a heavy load, I encountered a Friend who offered to lift it from me. But I felt sure I could go a bit further. Immediately the load seemed larger. Then all I could see was the load. That's how I lost my way.

Realizing I'd wandered off the Main Road, I wanted to turn back and find my Friend. But surely I'd traveled too far for him to hear my cry for help. So I kept trudging along, passing through the Dumps and on to Wit's End before ending up in this dreary place, Rock Bottom.

Along the way I lost some basic equipment needed for the journey—sense of humor, ability to see things in perspective, willingness to tolerate imperfection. Now I'm alone and weary.

Look! Isn't that just like my Friend to come to me here, carry my load, lead me out, and send me on toward my destination, Fullness of Joy!

Next time I start down the wrong road, Lord, trip me.

Spectacular Little Things

Lord, you do the most spectacular little things!

I'm not surprised when you do great and mighty things. I expect that. But spectacular little things astonish me. To think you would give such attention to detail.

Sometimes, Lord, unbelief creeps in. It happens when I look at circumstances—situations impossible for human ability to resolve.

It's not that I doubt you can do something. I wonder if you will.

Just when I'm resigned to the possibility that you might not, you do the most spectacular little thing.

That assures me I need not worry...only believe, wait, and expect to see the goodness of the Lord.

What must you think of me, asking but only half-believing? When will I ever learn to trust you?

Please write your truth on my heart: "all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).

Thank you, Lord, for the demonstration of your power in mighty miracles. It builds my confidence to know you divided the waters of theRed Seafor the Israelites to escape the Egyptian army.

But my faith explodes when you do little things so obscure as to go unnoticed...were they not so utterly spectacular!

The Extraordinary Life

While teaching a couples' Sunday school class, I read aloud the focus verse for the week. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14 KJV).

Although I'd read the verse many times, the meaning suddenly filled me with awe. Looking at the class in astonishment, I said, "What an extraordinary way to live!"

With a thirsty heart I began to seek the Lord. I wanted to know what Jesus said and how he expected me to live. Reading through the gospels, I paid attention to his words. Using a concordance I did word studies on areas of need in my life.

As I learned to take my concerns to the Lord in prayer, I found him to be a reliable Friend who wanted to spend time with me—in fact, welcomed me into his presence.

My studies convinced me there are only two essentials for a joy-filled life: a conviction that God has a standard of conduct for our lives (outlined in his Word), and a desire to live that way (walk in obedience).

"So shall you heartily accept My commandments and conform your life and conduct to them. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 22:31 Amplified).

What an honor the Lord gives us to know him intimately! As Moses prepared the Israelites to enter the promised land, he reviewed all the Lord had done. He said, "What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?" (Deuteronomy 4:7 NIV).

Is there an emptiness in your life? Are you looking for something to fill it?

"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God" (1 Chronicles 22:19 NIV).