contributed by Katie Driver, Worship Arts Director
How many times per day do we wish? Maybe we wish we were better at a certain activity, or had a closer relationship with someone. Maybe we wish time moved faster, or that the week was over. We wish it wasn’t snowing in March. We wish we made more money. We wish we had more time. We wish our children listened better. We wish we were better parents. We wish, wish, wish. We wish for silly things and we wish for serious things. Where does all of this wishing get us?
I’ve noticed this year that I’m really good at wishing. But, I’m realizing I need to be worse about it. I need to be better about praying. The Bible, in fact, commands it! Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing”! Without ceasing. What would my life look like if I prayed without ceasing? First of all, I would definitely have less time for wishing! And I would have less time for worrying and for wallowing. I would have less time for everything that pulls be further from my Creator, and more time for everything that draws me to Him.
That passage, in its entirety actually says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians, 5:16-18, emphasis mine).
The next logical thought may be, “Did God really mean always?” And, my answer to you, my friend, would be a resounding YES! The Bible literally says the word “always”. So, then, believing the Bible is inerrant and is fully God’s Word without corruption, I believe that He did mean ALWAYS! This is not the only time we’re told to rejoice always. In Philippians 4:4 Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (emphasis mine). So God not only tells us to “rejoice always”, but he says it multiple times! Twice in once sentence. (It seems like He’s trying to really make a point…)
We face trials. We wish our struggles were fewer or lighter. We want God to strengthen us--or simply remove our struggles from us. But what we miss, friends, is prayer and rejoicing. We are called--commanded--to rejoice always; to pray ceaselessly. Our minds and hearts are to be ever connected to Him.
We wish we were closer to God. Here’s the best way to get there. Be worse about wishing. Be better about rejoicing and praying.
In His Grip,
Katie Driver
I’ve noticed this year that I’m really good at wishing. But, I’m realizing I need to be worse about it. I need to be better about praying. The Bible, in fact, commands it! Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing”! Without ceasing. What would my life look like if I prayed without ceasing? First of all, I would definitely have less time for wishing! And I would have less time for worrying and for wallowing. I would have less time for everything that pulls be further from my Creator, and more time for everything that draws me to Him.
That passage, in its entirety actually says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians, 5:16-18, emphasis mine).
The next logical thought may be, “Did God really mean always?” And, my answer to you, my friend, would be a resounding YES! The Bible literally says the word “always”. So, then, believing the Bible is inerrant and is fully God’s Word without corruption, I believe that He did mean ALWAYS! This is not the only time we’re told to rejoice always. In Philippians 4:4 Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (emphasis mine). So God not only tells us to “rejoice always”, but he says it multiple times! Twice in once sentence. (It seems like He’s trying to really make a point…)
We face trials. We wish our struggles were fewer or lighter. We want God to strengthen us--or simply remove our struggles from us. But what we miss, friends, is prayer and rejoicing. We are called--commanded--to rejoice always; to pray ceaselessly. Our minds and hearts are to be ever connected to Him.
We wish we were closer to God. Here’s the best way to get there. Be worse about wishing. Be better about rejoicing and praying.
In His Grip,
Katie Driver
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