Miserable, isn’t it. Stuck at home, can’t work, bored, stir-crazy, etc. Let’s write a letter:
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me — everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:4-9 (NLT)
Not what you expected? That’s because this was not written by me, but by Paul: once of Tarsus, now of the Kingdom of God. He was in prison, he’d been beaten up several times, attacked, driven out of various places, arrested… and here he is now saying “Rejoice!”
Paul had confidence in the call and promise of Jesus. So he faced dreadful circumstances with faith and trust; and he encourages these Christians to follow his example.
We face daily changes and restrictions: but if we want to face trouble the way Paul did, how can we do it? Take a few minutes: read the passage through. Read it again, concentrating on the words I have put in bold red.
What does this make you think and want to do?
What foundation of life are you standing on?
To whom are you looking for help and rescue?
Are you willing to be someone whose gaze is fixed on Jesus?
Have you started to make a list of things/people/whatever makes you rejoice?
Go on, try it. Not easy- but faith expressed in trusting obedience bears fruit. REJOICE!
The photo of a hover fly pollinating a cosmos flower may help bring wonder to your heart and mind. God made this. God made us. God is still in charge. Don’t despair.
The Reflectionary 