EVERYTHING MEANS EVERYTHING

In everything give thanks; for this
is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
I Thessalonians 5:18

Sometimes I dislike words like “all” or “everything.” I've found those words used mostly when it comes to some kind of commitment. I find such words in a small cluster of verses written by Paul to the Thessalonians. In Paul's first book, in chapter 5, such a cluster with commitment verses are found in verses 15-22. Read them sometime and you will see what I mean.

I've centered on verse 18 for a reason. It may not be an issue for you, but it has been for me. In fact, I believe many Christians have, like me, a problem with ingratitude. I remember with young children in the home or at school that a well-meaning adult might say to a child, “Can you say 'thank you'?” We prompted our children all the time in those early days to be thankful all the time and not just at Thanksgiving.

Verse 18 is a little different from just expressing a general word of gratitude. It's the second word in the verse that throws me everytime....”everything.” Some translations use the word “all” but the urgency of thought is the same. The verse doesn't start with the second word in the verse...”Give thanks.” Giving thanks isn't something to do as it is to be...a consistent attitude.

Giving thanks in everything is a tall command. It's easy to give thanks for all the positive things in our lives. We live in a very prosperous era. We may not be wealthy as Wall Street would calculate wealth, but in comparison to many parts of the world, we are rich. Most folks have few worries about food to eat or shelter over their heads. In fact, counting our blessings may even be difficult in thinking up a list of all the blessings in our lives.

But what about the negative things in our lives? We have spent the last year feeling almost like prisoners with the virus going on and all the confusion regarding it. At the same time there have been upheavals in our country as well. Any of us of age cannot recall such goings on in times past. Oh, there have been demonstrations, but watching buildings burning, political crime and criminal events have been most disturbing. How can these things ever bring us before God with hearts of thanksgiving?

What I've found I can be thankful in it all involves two facts in my life. The first fact is that I love and serve a God who is Sovereign. Whether the worst of folks believe in Him or not has no bearing on who He is despite their attitudes. He is in charge of anything and everything in our world. If that's hard for to grasp, I look at the second fact and that is that God always has a plan. It's never a backup plan as God doesn't need such a thing. To me it all looks like a giant disorganized and evil world with everything out of control. God views His plan and how He's working it.

So that's my concentration in my “everything” of thanks. I can honestly and lovingly give thanks that God is Sovereign and still on His throne. Nothing or no one can threaten that fact. I can also be grateful that He has a plan in it all, but especially a plan for my own life. No matter what's going on, He has His hand on my life with a divine plan that is mind blowing if I could see how it all unfolds.

It's God's will that we be people of gratitude. We don't hear enough “thank you's” espressed. Thank you notes aren't sent .as in past years. It's not that we aren't grateful, but we just don't think to express our gratitude like we should. When we express gratitude in any setting, there is consistently one thing that happens...that is, we take our minds off of self. That in itself can be refreshing. No matter our present circumstances...our everythings...God still deserves our thanks in it all. It takes a personal mind set to be grateful in everything...it won't just happen.

Thank You Father God for how Your Word speaks so clearly. Give us hearts of obedience when we see clearly Your desire for our lives. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for us and for Your Holy Spirit that guides and directs us through these troubled times. We love and appreciate You more than we can express. THANK YOU! In Jesus' name...Amen