Thanksgiving...In All times

Thanksgiving….in all times, even when imprisoned….

One of my husband’s favorite Bible passages is Philippians 4.  I understand why.  It is a passage of encouragement…from an author who writes while in Prison….PRISON….as in chains, bars, dirt floors and dank circumstances.

And, he does not write to encourage himself; he writes to encourage others….and, through time, to encourage even us….his “brothers and sisters” many generations removed from his actual pen to paper writing.

And, he does.

We have a passionate Bible teacher at our church who is an actor…well, who was an actor in his former life.  Prior to beginning any study (and, I have been in many of his classes, buckled up and ready for the ride of my life), he takes us on a little walk mentally, framing his story in picture-words that enable us to “feel” what we read in the Bible.  When he describes Paul’s prison…it is not pretty. 

Prisons in Paul’s time were called “houses of darkness” for a reason.  They were storage-houses for the accused and not just a place of punishment - for back then, you were innocent and set free or were guilty and executed.  “Being kept alive in that condition was a greater and more humiliating punishment than death.”

So, it is amazing  to me that he could write so encouragingly to us while he was in such a damp, cold, dark, stinking, rodent infested, bug inhabited, nasty, terrible, horrible, awful place….

And not only did he write encouragement to others.  He wrote in truth that we all rejoice in our sufferings.  He wrote of his personal commitment to live as he wrote.  He wrote as one who shares his own personal sufferings.  He does not encourage us from a……..distance…….but as one who is up-close-and-personal with suffering.

I love the Bible via The Message.  It is an easy to read version which I use in conjunction with my other favorite the NIV..In it, you find Paul’s letter….

From Paul, A letter...to all of us….

My dear friends,

I love you so much. …I do want the very best for you. ….Don’t waver.  Stay on track, steady in God.” “Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean REVEL in Him! Make it as clear as you can to ALL you meet that you are on their side, working with them and not against them.  Help them see the Master is about to arrive.  He could show up any minute.

Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worry pray.  Let God know your concerns. It is wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Do your best by filling your minds and meditating n things TRUE, NOBLE, REPUTABLE, AUTHENTIC, COMPELLING, GRACIOUS – the best, the beautiful, things to praise.

I am “glad in God”, far happier than you would ever guess (yes, I know, hard to believe while in prison, but it is true), I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally (I’m in prison), I have learned to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I have found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry….

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the ONE who makes me who I am.”

And, he was right.

What is amazing to me even more than his joy during his suffering is that Paul….the very one so positive in his suffering FOR Christ was once a person who caused suffering AGAINST Christ and His followers.

The Jesus Storybook Bible tells Paul’s story very sweetly in words which melt the heart..(paraphrased)

“Of all the people who kept the rules Saul (name later changed to Paul..hang with me, there is an explanation at the end) was the best!  He was very proud…but, he wasn’t very nice.  Saul/Paul hated anyone who loved Jesus.  He wanted to catch them and put them into prison.  He wanted everyone to forget about Jesus.  You see, Saul never met Jesus.”

So, one day, Jesus met Saul.

Saul was on his way to a town when a light flashed like lightening.  It was brighter than the sun…too bright (Saul was blinded).  He heard a loud voice which said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you fighting me?”  “Lord?” Saul answered.  “Who are you?”

I am Jesus, said the voice.  When you hurt my friends, you are hurting me too.  Saul’s whole body trembled.  Go to the city, Jesus said and I’ll tell you what to do.

When Saul opened his eyes, he couldn’t see.  His helpers had to hold his hand and lead him like a little child.  Saul was blind for three days – and yet, It Was As If He Was Seeing For The Very First Time!

A man named Ananias who loved Jesus prayed for Saul and through his prayer, Saul was able to see again and was used by God to tell the world about Jesus.

Yes, the man who “wasn’t very nice” to Christians was now VERY nice to Christians, because he had met God and had seen the error of his ways.

I love this, too…from The Jesus Storybook Bible

“Suddenly, Saul could see again, but he saw everything differently.  He wasn’t mean anymore.  He even changed his name from Saul TO Paul, which means “small and humble” – the very opposite of proud”, which is what Saul was before.

Interestingly still, was that the man who prayed for Paul, Ananias’s,  name meant “The Lord is full of Grace”.

And, GRACE is what Paul spent the rest of his life sharing with others.

The Grace of God which comes to all of us, through God.

“It’s  not about keeping the rules! Paul told the people.  You don’t have to be good at being good for God to love you.  You just have to believe what Jesus has done and follow him.  Because,

Its not about trying, it’s about trusting.

Its not about rules, its about Grace

God’s free gift – that cost him everything”.

So, Paul changed.

And, because of his ability to change, we can be encouraged to change.

He writes to us, “God loves us!  Nothing can ever- no, not ever- separate us from the Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love of God he showed us in Jesus!”

My husband’s love for this Philippians passage has inspired me many times during this past year.  It inspires and encourages me….

It does so because you can see in how Ian lives his life that he tries hard to do what Paul encourages, and while Ian would tell you he struggles with doing so, it’s the effort in his walk which I have come to love and respect…I have seen him fall down, but, I also see him pick himself back up and strive….

To “let your gentleness be evident to all…..not to be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God…and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus….whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

So, In Paul, I have hope which he tells me God promises to all of us…

If Paul can find joy and peace and encouragement while suffering in prison, how much more can we find same in the freedom of our lives?

Blessings and Thanksgiving,

Lesa