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A cheerful heart is a choice. Difficulties will come. Tragedy will occur. But the resilient spirit will see joy in the midst of calamity. A crushed spirit dwells on problems not possibilities. A crushed spirit relies on their own strength or the strength of others to flourish. When human effort fails, and it will, strength is sapped away. When we place our hope in God we can look adversity in the eye with a cheerful heart. This is impossible without Jesus Christ as Lord.
A lazy person is the professional victim of circumstance. Whether those circumstances were forced upon them or self-inflicted makes no difference. Rather than rising up from whatever lot life has drawn for them, they wallow is self-pity in the land of ‘if onlys’. Each setback becomes an insurmountable obstacle, not for lack of ability but because of lack of desire. Those who live in integrity see obstacles as stepping stones to success. Life is full of opportunities not obstacles because they know they live according to God’s power working through them. They become victors.
There have been many an argument over spiritual gifts. What they are. What they aren’t. Who gets them? The list is endless. So much of life can be boiled down to the K.I.S.S. Philosophy. (Keep It Simple Silly [kind version] ) The source, purpose and results of the ‘gift’ are all that really matter. God is the giver. We are the recipient (gift receivers don’t choose their gift). The beneficiaries are others around us. The praise for the results returns to the gift giver, not the gift bearer. I know the arguments. There are theologs out there who will disagree with me. But I believe a spiritual gift is anything we do that benefits others and draws them closer to God. So here comes the heresy! Being a really good Walmart shelf stocker can be a spiritual gift if you do it with a joyful heart, in good character, giving glory to God. So don’t be surprised if you see a Walmart shelf stocker finish stacking a box of cookies and point to the sky. You’ll know they read my blog!
Desire. It’s really the driving force in all we do. It’s desire that drives our relationships. It’s desire that keeps us going through the tough times. When we lose desire we lose the will to go on. But desire is a cruel taskmaster. It often drives us down the road most easily traveled rather than the way best for us. It entices us to grab for the things that hurt rather than nurture; that poison us rather than help us. Jesus came to show us desire in its purest, most excellent way.
It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about him. It’s not about what I can do or what I have, it’s about him and what he’s done. It’s not about you or what you’ve done or can do. It’s about him. I’m convinced that no one needs to be told they have problems or that they aren’t perfect. Even if they claim they are okay, in reality, they know better. The best way we can share the goodness of The Father isn’t by pointing out others faults, it’s about showing them a better way. One doesn’t need to be a theologian to proclaim Christ to others. In fact, often it’s the less educated in the depths of scripture that are most effective. The average person is best reached by simple facts. “Jesus loves me, this I know.” That’s all I really need to know and that is the basis of joy!
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