The folks that I've met that have this hope-filled outlook have not come by it easily. They have paid their dues in many a trial, pain, sorrow and loss. Their secret is not hoping in themselves or other people but in Christ. They are what Paul refers to as Children of Light.
The section of scripture that I've been studying in Ephesians explains how we can live our lives as Children of Light. What is the light? Jesus is the light (John 8:12) of the world. As Christians we are to live in the light God gives (Ephesians 5:8). Walking in the light keeps us from the darkness of sin and allows us to shine before men (Matthew 5:16). In other words, Jesus is our example and when we walk or live life by His guidelines and live in His power through the Holy Spirit, we grow in grace and do good to those around us. That's letting our light shine - loving others as God first loved us.
In today's verse of thanks, Paul is giving further instruction on how to keep our light shining for God's glory and the good of others.
"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 (preceded by the second half of vs. 19)
Singing or listening to Christian worship music is one of the ways that I get myself out of "stinkin' thinkin'" or a pity party. Paul is teaching that we should regularly encourage one another by talking about the Lord and quoting scripture, particularly the Psalms. That's another trick I use - when I'm struggling to adore God in my prayer time, I open up my Bible to Psalms and let David or one of the other psalmists give me a hand. It doesn't take long for me to become consumed with the glory of God's goodness and power!
We need these tricks/disciplines to keep our hearts right and become children of the light - someone that "has what others want" - hope in Christ and gratitude for the mercies of God the Father. Life is not easy - it drags us down and we struggle to give thanks. Take heart - God works all things out for good if we love him and are setting our hearts toward His will/His best for us (Romans 8:28). We are not asked to thank God for our problems, but for the strength He is building in us through our trials.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible says it like this:
Man has much for which to be grateful; and the duty of acknowledging the mercy of God to the race should not be forgotten. We are often prone so to magnify our calamities, and to contemplate the woes of the race, that we overlook the occasions for gratitude; and we should, therefore, look upon the "mercies" which we enjoy as well as the miseries which we endure, that our hearts may be right. He who looks only on his trials will soon find his mind soured and complaining; he who endeavors to find how many occasions for gratitude he has, will soon find the burden of his sorrows alleviated, and his mind tranquil and calm. Yet, if the words here are to be taken as in our translation, "for everything" they are full of force and beauty. At the close of life, and in heaven, we shall see occasion to bless God for all his dealings with us. We shall see that we have not suffered one pang too much, or been required to perform one duty too severe. We shall see that all our afflictions, as well as our mercies were designed for our good, and were needful for us. Why then should we not bless God in the furnace as well as in the palace; on a bed of pain as well as on a bed of down; in want as well as when sitting down at the splendid banquet?
Addison Road put out a song called "This Little Light of Mine" and the lyrics read:
In this life you will know
Love and pain
Joy and sorrow
So when it hurts
When times get hard
Don't forget whose child you are
That's the thing... if you've received Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life (I have), you are a child of the light and you already have "what they want." The discipline is to not forget it, stick to your guns, plant your feet and call on the Name of Jesus when life is hard. That's what I try to do. I'm still a work in progress, but the good news is my faith grows daily and so do my peace and joy as I look to Jesus for my light, my hope. I'll get you going by sharing the link on YouTube for the song that will bring you back to your childhood and help you shine your light and give thanks for everything: https://youtu.be/Ii2THk_yR3Q
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
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