The elements of happiness in this present life no man can command, even
if he could command himself, for they depend on the action of many wills,
on the purity of many hearts, and by the highest law of God the holiest
must ever bear the sins and sorrows of the rest; but over the blessedness
of his own spirit circumstance need have no control; God has therein given
an unlimited power to the means of preservation, of grace and growth, at
every man's command.
J.H. Thom (1816-1872) Unitarian minister and author
Thom nailed it. Our happiness is dependent on so many things beyond our control. The "action of many wills, on the purity of many hearts, and . . .the sins and sorrows of the rest." Coworkers. Spouses. Politicians. Children. Happiness to a large extend depends on the deeds and words of a host of others, as well as nature itself. Typhoons. Tornadoes. Floods.
Ah, but what Mr. Thom calls the "blessedness" of one's spirit, that is beyond the control of the external. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God's children are blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing. The Fruit of the Spirit are present in each Christian and are independent from life's circumstances. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But how easy to sit here in a warm room with a hot cup of coffee and write about such platitudes. It is when adversity strikes that the challenge begins.
Peace amidst unemployment.
Faithfulness to an adulterous spouse.
Goodness toward an unkind boss.
Joy through cancer.
At last Sunday's homeless lunch I sat in on the Bible study. I was once again impressed with the spirit of some of the Gathering Tree guests. Julie remarked how her week had been better because she had gotten back in the Word. She pointed out that nothing about her situation had changed, but spending time with God had lightened her Spirit and changed her outlook. Her prayer request was that her husband, who was at another table, would join the Bible study next week. Not for a house. Not for a job. Not for money. But that her husband would get into the Word. Julie had her priorities right.
Christians have been "blessed with every spiritual blessing." It is there we should find our contentment, joy and peace. Not from the externals over which we have no control.
J.H. Thom (1816-1872) Unitarian minister and author
Thom nailed it. Our happiness is dependent on so many things beyond our control. The "action of many wills, on the purity of many hearts, and . . .the sins and sorrows of the rest." Coworkers. Spouses. Politicians. Children. Happiness to a large extend depends on the deeds and words of a host of others, as well as nature itself. Typhoons. Tornadoes. Floods.
Ah, but what Mr. Thom calls the "blessedness" of one's spirit, that is beyond the control of the external. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God's children are blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing. The Fruit of the Spirit are present in each Christian and are independent from life's circumstances. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But how easy to sit here in a warm room with a hot cup of coffee and write about such platitudes. It is when adversity strikes that the challenge begins.
Peace amidst unemployment.
Faithfulness to an adulterous spouse.
Goodness toward an unkind boss.
Joy through cancer.
At last Sunday's homeless lunch I sat in on the Bible study. I was once again impressed with the spirit of some of the Gathering Tree guests. Julie remarked how her week had been better because she had gotten back in the Word. She pointed out that nothing about her situation had changed, but spending time with God had lightened her Spirit and changed her outlook. Her prayer request was that her husband, who was at another table, would join the Bible study next week. Not for a house. Not for a job. Not for money. But that her husband would get into the Word. Julie had her priorities right.
Christians have been "blessed with every spiritual blessing." It is there we should find our contentment, joy and peace. Not from the externals over which we have no control.
No comments:
Post a Comment