Greetings Dear Reader,
Part of my journey at this time is writing a devotional on
Philippians. Anyone passingly familiar
with this epistle can affirm that the theme is joy. There is also, however, an undercurrent of an
attitude that clarifies why we are to find joy in our journey.
That undercurrent is gratitude. The writer tells us to give thanks in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. Paul is in a Roman prison with guards chained to him. From this position, he writes that he has learned to be content whatever his situation. He asks his readers and us to give thanks for everything.
He knows that any day the Emperor could end his life but he
is clear that he gathers gratitude for his situation and knits it into a letter
of love and faith to his friends in Philippi.
He spins his dire situation into one where whichever Roman is chained to
him becomes a friend and where possible a fellow traveler in the good news of
Jesus. Even in prison, his concern is to
create clarity with his life and attitude.
His love is for others.
This is the situation in which Paul asks us to always find
something for which to be thankful. Joy,
contentment, and gratitude do not need to be situational. There is always something for which we can be
clearly grateful. There is always a way
to look outward and see how the Father has all things in his hands.
When I receive bad news or things do not unfold as I wish,
there is always a way to find gratitude.
Christ is present with me in every moment whether I feel it or not. When I remember that and embrace it, I have found
a foothold for gratitude. I can create
clarity concerning my circumstance. I am
with Christ and he is with me. This is
the joy in my journey. This is the
foundation of all gratitude.
As we journey home, Dear Reader, we can gather gratitude in
every step by creating clarity that there is something for which to be grateful
in each moment. There is always a reason
to embrace humility and express our thanks for life, the Father, and each
other. As I prepare to travel, I do so
with a heart full of hope and joy because of the gratitude gathered.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every
writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a
homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father
getting everything back to Good.
Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
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