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Devotional & Reflection
1 Thess 5:18 - Giving Thanks 1 Thess 5:18 : "give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I was touched by the Brazilian footballers in the World Cup finals.
It was not because of their brilliant play, neither was it because of the
world records they set. I was touched by the glory the Brazilian players gave to God after
they won. Right after the match was over, a few of the footballers changed
into white T-shirts with the words "Jesus © you" and
"I belong to Jesus", knelt and bowed down to the ground to pray.
Some had the words "100% Jesus" autographed over their yellow
T-shirts. The Brazilian team and officials kneeling in a large circle in
thanksgiving on the football field was a sight to marvel at. In their moment of crowning glory, the Brazilians chose to give the
glory to Jesus and to magnify the Lord most visibly for the world to see. The
post-match fervour of the footballers for Jesus was telecast vividly to
millions of viewers all over the world. Theirs was indeed a most wonderful
testimony to the Lord Jesus. The words of Ronaldo, as reported by CNA, were
heart-warming, "I have a lot of things to thank God for." Even in
the euphoria of their triumph, the first thing the Brazilians did was to
thank God. When I mentioned to a friend how the Brazilians touched my heart, he
quipped, "I do wonder about Ronaldo's reaction if they had lost".
Indeed, one may wonder. But the important thing to me is the players' prompt
and unreserved action in giving thanks to God. It is not often that great
success is immediately attributed to God and to Him alone, let alone a World
Cup trophy. My friend did make an important point. We need to have a balanced
perspective, to be able to give thanks to God for good and for bad. This is
easier said than done. Not everyone of us may be able to say as Job did after
he lost all his children, wealth and health: "Shall we accept good from
God and not trouble?" (Job 2:10) It takes a spirit of maturity to learn
to give thanks for everything. In giving thanks for the bad things that happen to us, we experience
healing in the process. When we recognize that all things, whether good or
bad, work for good (Rom 8:28), we can then see beyond the immediate bounds of
suffering and pain to the larger blessings that come within the wider, longer
frame of God. This must surely bring us the comfort and consolation that we
need. Reflect: Copyright By Author |
