eye on the prize

We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is "good," because it is good, if "bad" because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.- C. S. Lewis 

The ten Boom sisters had just arrived at a new camp and realized the overcrowded barracks were also swarming with fleas. Corrie wondered how they could live in such a place, but her older sister, Betsie, said God had already given them the answer. She told Corrie to read the passage from the Bible they'd read that morning. Corrie went to First Thessalonians chapter five. When she came to verses sixteen through eighteen, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus--", Betsie exclaimed, "That's it, Corrie! That's His answer! 'Give thanks in all circumstances!' We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!" "Such as?" Corrie asked. "Such as being assigned here together," Betsie said, and Corrie agreed. They went on to thank God that they had been able to keep their Bible, that there were so many people there who would be able to hear God's Word, and then Betsie gave thanks for the fleas.  The fleas!  Corrie thought. Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea. Give thanks in all circumstances, It doesn't say 'in pleasant circumstances.' Fleas are part of this place where God has put us. So they gave thanks for the fleas. Time passed, the days filled with hard work and cruel guards, but every evening the women in their barracks would gather round to hear the Word. They were grateful they were able to read the Bible, but they wondered why the guards didn't stop them. Then, one day, Betsie learned why. It was because of the fleas! The guards refused to enter that barracks because they knew it was infested with fleas. God had a purpose, even for those horrible fleas. 

Sometimes, our eyes are so fixed on the difficulties, the hard things, in our lives, that we can't see anything to be grateful for. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus, and then look at all the good things He's given us, we can give thanks. And even if it seems there is absolutely nothing else to be thankful for, we've been given the best gift ever: Jesus Christ who died and rose again to save us from our sins and give us eternal life with Him. Nothing will ever take that away, and we can always give thanks for that. And, like C. S. Lewis said in the quote at the beginning of this post, we can give thanks in hard times because it draws us closer to the Lord and helps us look forward to Heaven.  Corrie ten Boom famously qouted "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." That has stuck with me through life, when he is in control of our lives, and giving him praise and glory-focusing on his goodness, and his providence even in the smallest ways, is truly the answer to finding joy, peace and contentment in our days. Having a mindset so focused on gratitude that one can give thanks for something as small as a flea when in the midst of a concentration camp, is genuinely supernatural, and only through the work of the holy spirit in ones life. We do not know the suffering Jesus expierenced in his life, but he willingly did it, because he actually loves us that much. When we mediatate on the gospel, it is impossible to look at love like that, and not be moved. It makes absolutely no sense for a perfect person to die in our place. It moves me to tears thinking about how kind God is. I just want everyone to know how loved they are, becuase this is the most amazing news and most beautiful gift in the world. And when we actually accept this gift as our own, we can not help but be transformed. Over these past few days I have been utterly entreached in the love of God and fascinated by his beauty. One could say obsessed. I am seeing the gospel with fresh eyes and I cant fathom the perfection and holiness of God, and that he actually wants to be seen with me, he actually loves me and is so pleased and proud to call me his child. The best part? He wants you just the same. He wants every human, for we are made in his image, and he is a jealous God, longing for the hearts of all his children to come to know, accept and live in his love. Oh what beautiful things happen when we welcome his love and let it transform us more into his likeness. This is the sole purpose of our lives. To dwell in the love of God all our days, and extend it to others. What an honor! I wish I was better at keeping myself in this love, and rebuking the things that hinder me from his love. Lord let us rebuke sin, teach us to humble ourselves before you, and not be ashamed to admit our sin to you. When we speak openly and freely about our sin, lord you do not condemn us. Lord, your grace is sufficent and your power is made perfect in our weakness. You know us fully, and love us completely. You knew every wrong we would commit, before it even happened. Oh God- humble us out of our self-righteousness, our pride, our greed, contempt, anger, bitterness and resentment. Life is too precious to wrong our neighbors, to abhor evil on brothers and sisters. Your goodness wins at the end of the day. Forgive us when we get in your way. You deserve all the glory, not us. Show us how to put you first in all things.

Psalm 86:11-17

Galatians 5:13-26

1 corinthians 9:24-27

May we learn to submit our will to christ, our flesh, our desires to him and seek his kindgom above our own. May we look out for the good of our neighbors, families and friends. May we love as he loved. May we let the gospel be the measure for all our relationships, and may we find peace and grace as we live here on this broken earth as we strive to look more like christ. May we give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, and may we have joy and reflect his spirit to all those we interact with bearing his image.