The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082514.cfm) reminds me that we should always proclaim God’s goodness through our lives.
Situations affect our mood. When things go well and there are no conflicts, we are happy. It is easy to be optimistic and positive. It is easy to serve and proclaim God. However, when situations change, when we are faced with problems, difficulties and challenges, we feel otherwise. We don’t feel like serving God. We don’t feel like sharing him. We just want to focus on the problem, or we are paralyzed by the situation. God does not want this .
Whatever the situation is, we should always proclaim and share God.
In the first reading, we see that Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to persevere in faith. There may be sufferings and difficulties they are experiencing, but they should remain faithful and loyal to God. In the gospel, Jesus warns us not to be like the scribes and Pharisees who are hypocrites – fake proclaimers of the faith. Lip service is not enough, God wants us to act and live our faith, no matter how simple our witnessing to Him may be.
I am always reminded by the line in the movie Facing the Giants. “If we win, we praise Him, if we lose, we still praise Him. Either way, we’re giving God the glory”
God is not asking us to praise Him only when it’s happy and things are easy. We may not feel like it, and it may be difficult, but we should still praise Him in difficult times. Situations may make us feel that our praise and witnessing to Him during these times is less effective, because we are carrying concerns. However, it is actually more powerful. When we praise God in the storm, we are actually letting God live in us. Human will and power are not enough to do this in tough times, so when we do, it is probably God living in us, enabling us to praise and serve Him despite all that is happening.
No matter how the situation may be, may we heed the psalmist’s call to “Proclaim God’s marvellous deeds to all the nations”
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to rest. Lord, help me be consistent in praising and proclaiming you It is so easy to do these things when I am happy and when things go my way, but really difficult to do it when I am stressed, tired and challenged. Help me Lord to be consistent in loving and praising you, for I know that this will give you joy and glory. Amen.
Blessed week!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
No comments:
Post a Comment