“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God...” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
You might have been told that the will of God for your life is to be married, have children, secure a job, do some local missions, tithe, show up for church, serve in kids’ ministry… or something like that.
Not that individually there is anything wrong with those things. However, it’s not the WILL of God for your life.
What??? Danielle, no. Preacher said I need to do “XYZ” to get into God’s favor. I think that’s just what we hear because as humans we like to know what’s expected of us.
I dug into the scriptures on this one. No, I don’t have the absolute perfect answer. But I want you to have the same freedom I had in knowing that God wanted me to be not do.
This Thanksgiving, I want to lay out a Truth to you that might shatter what media or your neighbor has told you or even shown you.
God’s Gospel Truth for your life is this: He made you. Our sin kept us from being with Him. He sent His son, Jesus to Earth by way of a virgin, Mary. He grew up with a carpenter earthly father and a mother that probably did like you did as a Mom- loved, taught, cared for and nurtured her child. Around the age of 30, Jesus left His home to teach on things like LOVE, not judging, and serving others vs serving self. He had no mansion like you would assume a King would have, no servants on staff or even money to his name. He was “on mission with God” his Father. In just a few short years, His time here on Earth ended from our own judgment and persecution. The same people that cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” to welcome Jesus into their city to heal and teach, shouted “Crucify!” just days later. Why this heart change of the people? Well just like Jesus said on the Cross that we put Him on, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” We couldn’t handle all that Jesus was about. Our sin nature that we are born with blocked out the possibility that some in the flesh person could make a way for us. What is that way? Mary’s child IS our Savior. Believing that Jesus came to love you and then died on a cross for all of your messy sins so that you could live in eternity with Him in heaven after your bag of bones gave out here on Earth.
Friend, there are some days in the midst of the little chaos of laundry and cat throw up and kids yelling, “MOM!” that I am just ready to be done… There have also been big chaotic times in my life. Like when I found out I was pregnant at 18 or got the phone call that my husband had killed himself that all I could do was cry out the name, “Jesus!”
Because of Jesus… laundry and suicide can equally overwhelm me BUT YET be subdued by His will for my life in the middle of my thanks giving.
”Thank you Lord, for sparing my life.”
”Thank you Lord, that I have little clothes to fold.”
”Thank you Lord, I see you in the mundane day to day.”
”Thank you Lord, for giving me three kids when some Moms want only one.”
”Thank you Lord, for using me in spite of my mess ups.”
”Thank you Lord, for creating fuzzy creatures that purr to bring calm.”
”Thank you Lord, that in spite of me not feeling loved by others, I am fully known by you.”
The beauty of God’s invitation into faithfulness is that His response to our trust is always a great revelation of His sufficiency and kindness.
Feeling insufficient? Give thanks, for He is good and able!
A friend recently laid out a real life scripture application, and I’ve never chuckled so much in my life… fully relating to a wild horse.
”Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
She told me how when you match up two horses to pull a wagon, you never put two new horses together. Or else, they both run off wild, fighting for control and the lead. Instead, you put a seasoned horse with the new horse. That new one bucks at the bridle, hates the thing in his mouth, the yoke is heavy because he’s constantly pulling at it to go faster. But there’s the seasoned horse (like JESUS!) going at a steady pace, not pulling ahead or jerking away. “Come to me… I have an easier way. This life isn’t meant for you to jump around wildly without direction. Find rest here. ENJOY the work I have for you.”
”The hard things are made into gifts. The best gifts are always ahead of me… not behind me.”
Your hard things are no match for God’s faithfulness. Give thanks to the Lord, today! Not for the things or the people, but first to Him!
xoxo
Danielle