November 2002

“This is the Day?”

Have you ever had to sing a song when your heart wasn't in it? The time you were supposed to sing:

"This is the day, (this is the day)
that the Lord has made (that the Lord has made)
We will rejoice, (we will rejoice)
and be glad in it, (and be glad in it)"

and you had one of the worst days of your life.

Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Your newest car stalled on the road 20 miles from home. You have just picked up the worst cold in modern history. Your youngest angel just spent the last week in detention. Your mother just fell and is calling for more help at home. Your check bounced. The dog barked. Supper is burning, and to top it off, your prize milk cow Bessie just quit giving milk.

Sound too familiar? We can all think of days when nothing is going right. But what makes the difference in life is not "what happens to us" but rather how you handle what happens to us. When times are tough some would vote to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over their head. Some would face it head on. While others might be tempted to just run somewhere, anywhere.

It is interesting, that for many of life's situations the attitude we take with them makes all the difference in the world. Are you the optimist or are you the cynic? Do you see the hard days as curses or possibilities? Do you let a struggle overwhelm you, or do you let it stretch you so you can grow? Can you see the good in life or do yo only see the bad and the ugly? It can be challenging some days to look at your world in a positive light, but I know that it is God's purpose for us.

In ths month of November, the Thanksgiviing month, I hope that you will be able to see God's goodness in each day and be full of joy and thanksgiving. Don't put on a fake plastered smile and walk around pretending. Grab on to an authentic life, guided by and depending on Jesus Christ who can help you deal with the struggles in life with a heart of thanksgiving.

The Apostle Paul, who faced the incredible hardships of persecution, injustice and prison, encouraged the chruch at Thessalonica to:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Paul had figured out the secret of living with victory. It is living in joy, prayer and thankfulness.

Take time this month ot thank God for his many blessings. Remember, God is ready, in all situations, to bring glory to His name through your life. When you are around your dinner table, at your office, in your car (eyes open, hands on the wheel) ask God to help you make a growing list of what is good in your life, and be thankful. Then sing the verse one more time -- with feeling:

This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Have a great month!

Pastor Craig