“Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks,
for
this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
It is my conviction that God created
me to do His Will. Hence, I have been
asking God now and then: “Lord God, what is it that You want me to do?” During my ‘Quiet Time’ I got the answer as I
read St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, which I quoted above.
The
answer, I may say, is a THREEFOLD ACTION, namely:
1.To REJOICE ALWAYS,
2.TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING,
and
3.TO GIVE THANKS IN
EVERYTHING.
These
three challenges require from me a “Frame
of Mind” that would constantly monitor my daily behavior. I have to ask myself now and then these three
questions:
1. Am
I rejoicing always?
Sometimes I find it hard to rejoice because of
something that hurts me, either due to my own human frailties, physical
ailments, or injuries inflicted by
others. To rejoice amidst these
sufferings requires a firm faith in the benevolence of God; for it is said that
“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him”.(Rom.
8:28)
2. Am
I praying without ceasing?
I believe that praying is like having a hotline with
God. As much as possible I try to have a conscious contact
with God by repeating frequently in moments of silence: “My Lord, MY God, My All!”
3. Am
I giving thanks in everything?
This again requires a firm faith in God’s infinite
wisdom and almighty power. Everything in
this world is in the hands of God and
so, no matter what happens, He is in control and He knows what is best for
everyone.
For me, the three abovementioned
questions serve as basic guidelines in living a Life in accordance with the
Will of God. Since DOING THE WILL OF
GOD is the REASON for my existence, I trust that by sincerely striving to
REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING and GIVING THANKS IN EVERYTHING, I shall have
lived a life that is PLEASING TO GOD. I
shall then REST IN PEACE for having done what God wants me to do as His
creature.
By: Buddy Cagurangan
July
15, 2012
