3Stories 1message
I recollect this morning, as I woke up, and finished my prayers – so many thoughts came in, thoughts that led me on a journey far, far away. Thoughts that caused me to question, caused me to ponder, caused me to wonder and even as I went through this period of mind-shake, not once, no not once, did I even remember the God who is in total control. Did I forget him? Portrayal tells me say a No! But the conscience pricks and the answer clicks – I was too busy for him.
It is in this moment of acceptance, that this verse shown more the brighter. Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Three verses, one sentence. Three stories, one message. Christ Jesus.
“Jesus was not a theologian; He was God who told stories.” - Madeleine L’Engle
Thomas was an ordinary man – simple, cheerful with always a humorous note in his voice. He considered each day a gift and he chose to tell everyone about it. His contagious joy, his unstoppable laughter, filled the heart of even the saddest with gladness. But behind his back, as he passed by, the very ones, who had laughed with him, would look and look, until he was out of earshot and then they would sigh. It was not a sigh of boredom, no definitely not a sigh of relief, but a sigh of sadness. For Thomas was a cancer patient, daily enduring endless chemo and painful therapies. With days numbered and the end somewhere in the pages of the calendar, people really wondered, where he got the strength to be joyful. Soon the fears and predictions merged at the point. Thomas was rushed into the ICU and his last mumbled words to the audience of doctors, nurses, caregivers, patients, and passer-bys were these, “Smile, God is holding my hand”
Be Joyful always.
Joyce was a little orphan, abandoned in the epidemics of Africa. Taken in by an orphanage, she began to copy some of the behaviors of the sisters of charity. One among them being – prayer! One September, as she was six years old, the sisters as was their custom, decided to ask the children what they wanted for Christmas. Each child expressed a simple wish which said, “What gift they wanted and why they wanted it” and then Joyce said that she wanted a Barbie doll, like the one she had when she had a home and parents! The sisters knew this was not possible, for that doll was a really costly one. Nevertheless the many requests were neatly printed on paper, along with a photo of the child and sent to the few donors. Time passed, Christmas came. Packets came from many a place but nothing came for Joyce. The sisters saddened, could keep on asking her, if she wanted anything else. The only answer Joyce, could give was this, “I have asked Jesus for this gift and He will give me and I am asking him everyday”. The sisters would then silently walk away, knowing how impossible this was. Christmas came, the day dawned. Everyone went to church and everyone got their new gifts, everyone except Joyce. As the day began to close and night settled in, the sisters had only tears for Joyce and yet they say her pray. It was about 7.30pm, right before dinner, that a knock reverberated the walls of the simple orphanage. Outside stood a man and his wife. They had come, come for the little girl who wanted the Barbie doll – but they had come to not only give her a Barbie doll but also a home, a home where she can once again have a father, a mother.
Pray continually. Another story, Same message – Christ.
Rahul began a regular day. His prayer for the day, was unique, “Lord, help me to give thanks to you”. As he walked out his home, a car splashed mud on his dress. With a curse and a grudge, he redressed and cautiously went to his work place. Going to grab his favorite mug of coffee, he learnt that the machine was not working. Angry and upset he hurried over his work. As he stepped out for lunch, his boss called him for a rapid-fire meeting. Having lost the lunch hour and grabbing a sandwich he grumbled on. Finally having created the needed document which would win him laurels, he pressed the print button – only to get a blue screen – his computer had crashed and so was his work. I stop, for I don’t want to record the feelings or words here…Another day you may say! Heads down, shoulders crunched, he shuffled back to his home. At the very junction where the muddy water was, he saw a man without legs, dragging himself joyfully through the muddy waters and on reaching the other side, take hold of the hand of a woman who seemed out of her senses. With real curiosity Rahul stopped and enquired of the legless man, who vocation was ‘doing road-shows’ on the streets to earn some money, so he can take care of his lovely, mentally-disoriented wife. With a smile, he mentioned he had collected Rs.30 (less than 1SGD$) today, enough to buy them both some good food. Finally with a smile the man moved on the sidewalk, holding his precious wife safely in his hands. Rahul remembered his morning prayer, “Lord, help me to give thanks to you today”
Give thanks in all circumstances
Three stories, One message. Jesus Christ.
I don’t know what all you do each day, but I am sure, you all brush your teeth, wash your face and comb your hair. Here’s my request to you, when you brush your teeth – remember to be joyful always, when you wash your face, remember to pray continually, and when you comb your hair, remember to give thanks in all circumstances.
Is it really possible, you may wonder? How can I accomplish not one, but three nearly impossible changes?
One man did. His name was Jesus. Many are following him; Young and old; Privileged and poor; Businessmen and Paupers; Healthy and sick – Will you follow this Jesus? This god who gave up everything for you?
