Today’s feature article is written by Sarah Beth Cody, a regular contributor to NowHabersham.
I think Jesus speaks to us in a lot of different ways. Sometimes I hear Him from a pastor in a pulpit, sometimes from the musician who doesn’t know Jesus from Adam (and most certainly not the Adam we’re thinking of), and sometimes from a conversation in Starbucks that doesn’t involve me in the least.
Sometimes He comes right through the radio and straight to our hearts.
The other day, He spoke to my dad on the radio. And my dad shared the conviction with me, and now…
Do you see how sharing our revolutions and convictions and messiness with each other is good?
This is what was said–no fluff, straight to the point gut-punch:
If we lost everything that we have now and got it back, would we be happy? And if we would, why are we not happy now?
I told you–gut punch.
And this isn’t a secular “bless and be blessed” message. It’s deeper, and it’s completely directed at myself as I write these words. Because thankfulness is not just a “good” thing to be; scripture commands it.
“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20
The Message puts it beautifully: “Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.”
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
The Message: “…thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”
Sometimes it doesn’t feel as easy to be thankful. It’s hard. It’s trying. But we should, because “every good and perfect gift comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.” (James 1:17)
Let’s go back to the question above. If you lost what you had today and got it back, would you be happy?
Look at what you have, and then thank Jesus for every last bit of it. Because He is our provider, and He is good.
