I imagined a conversation with Jesus. It started with me asking him about his will on a decision that needs to be made. I needed a "yes" or "no" answer. The dialog unfolded like this:
Jesus: Have you noticed that you can't worry and be thankful at the same time?
Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.
Jesus: Lately worry get's your attention and gratitude is just a passing thought. That needs to be turned around.
Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.
Jesus: Here's the problem, what you worry about and what you are thankful for have too much in common - they're both temporary. The wrong one is consuming your thought life.
Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.
(One of us was stuck in the conversation. Like many times I want an answer and Jesus wants me to ask a different question.)
Jesus: The answer is, "It's time to wake your thanker up."
Dave: That answer doesn't fit my question.
Jesus: You're right, which do you think is wrong, my answer or your question?
(I imagined the odds of me being right and Jesus being wrong. They didn't seem to be that good.)
Jesus: Answers to your questions live inside the expression of being a thankful spirit. You have things you are thankful for, but you are not being a thankful person when you carry worry. Sometimes your thanker sleeps while your worrier screams. Wake your thanker up.
Dave: I understand, but what about my question? What should I do? What is the Father's will?
Jesus: Now that's the right question.
(He pointed to a verse in the bible on the table)
Jesus: What is the Father's will for you in this situation?
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)
Jesus: The Father's will is discovered from inside a life that is in me. Being in me will keep your thanker from sleeping. So the answer is, "yes." The question is, "Will God guide me in this decision if I remain thankful for his love and grace."
Waking up,
Pastor Dave
Jesus: Have you noticed that you can't worry and be thankful at the same time?
Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.
Jesus: Lately worry get's your attention and gratitude is just a passing thought. That needs to be turned around.
Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.
Jesus: Here's the problem, what you worry about and what you are thankful for have too much in common - they're both temporary. The wrong one is consuming your thought life.
Dave: I guess I hadn't thought about it. But, that doesn't answer my question.
(One of us was stuck in the conversation. Like many times I want an answer and Jesus wants me to ask a different question.)
Jesus: The answer is, "It's time to wake your thanker up."
Dave: That answer doesn't fit my question.
Jesus: You're right, which do you think is wrong, my answer or your question?
(I imagined the odds of me being right and Jesus being wrong. They didn't seem to be that good.)
Jesus: Answers to your questions live inside the expression of being a thankful spirit. You have things you are thankful for, but you are not being a thankful person when you carry worry. Sometimes your thanker sleeps while your worrier screams. Wake your thanker up.
Dave: I understand, but what about my question? What should I do? What is the Father's will?
Jesus: Now that's the right question.
(He pointed to a verse in the bible on the table)
Jesus: What is the Father's will for you in this situation?
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)
Jesus: The Father's will is discovered from inside a life that is in me. Being in me will keep your thanker from sleeping. So the answer is, "yes." The question is, "Will God guide me in this decision if I remain thankful for his love and grace."
Waking up,
Pastor Dave
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