"Wake Up!"

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. (Philippians 1:3-7 NIV).

Someone has said, “The man who has forgotten to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.” While I firmly believe that and see that truth clearly in the beginning of this letter the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi, I also know how difficult it can be to be thankful. Sometimes it is so much easier to “fall asleep” in life. You know how it goes. Some things are so difficult that it is simply easier not to face them. After all, won’t they go away if we ignore them? Well, of course they won’t! But how do we maintain a level of gratitude like Paul in the midst of circumstances that challenge the very core of our mind? As we start to look through this letter over the next few days, here are a few suggestions to apply to help you awaken your gratitude in life.

1. First, be thankful for your friends. Paul certainly was thankful for his friends. When he received Christian expressions of friendship and support, he saw it as coming directly from God. He was absolutely right. Our friends are a gift from God. I guess as I have gotten older this has become clearer for me. I have had friends through my life who genuinely stood with me both in “the partnership of the gospel” and sharing in “God’s grace.” Those are the two things Paul mentions. They are the embodiment of real friendship. That’s what separates acquaintances from friends.

2. Second, like Paul, be thankful for the promise of victory. What God had begun in them Paul was certain He would finish! This certainty was based in the character and nature of God. You know, when things seem to unravel, I am bolstered by the absolute certainty that God will finish this good work in me! That’s good reason to be thankful!

3. Third, be thankful for growth in love. Paul saw a growth of their affection toward him. While he was imprisoned they saw to his needs even when it meant sacrifice on their part. It was rooted in their growing love for the apostle. Think about the people in your life you call friends. Is your love for them growing? Are you willing to sacrifice for them? Will you help carry their burden? Be that kind of friend and you will attract those kinds of friends!

There’s so much we can learn from this little letter. I am excited about studying it again. My prayer for you is that you will begin with me at this point of being grateful in your life. Let’s all wake up! I think we will find a loving, gracious God making provision for us each day. I know that sounds easier than it really is, but I am confident we can do it together!