In the 1980's there were different commercials of women in chaotic scenes. The kids were running around like wild animals, the dog was barking, dinner burning, phone ringing, laundry all over the couch...Then she would say, "Calgon, take me away!" And, poof! She was in a quiet bathroom, all alone, soaking in a hot tub of water and bubbles. Haven't we all had those moments? I even remember my mother saying it to me as a kid when she was feeling overwhelmed.
Wishing on Calgon to take us away; I Dream of Jeannie to blink us to an island; or Dorothy's red shoes to whisk us somewhere else, all sound wonderful. Magical. But as the old (and sometimes annoying) saying goes, "Don't wish your life away." How can we look at the current state of our lives & say, "Wow, I am thankful for this!"? Can you, right this minute, see a bigger picture?
Paul helps me to remember the bigger picture with his words in Philippians 4:11-13 NIV- "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Especially focus on, "I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation...". That is a pretty hard reality for some of us, as it was for Paul. He was beaten multiple times, left for dead at one point, hated, and imprisoned. Yet he was thankful for it all. Paul was focused on his service, his mission, whatever that entailed. He was thankful because he was doing the Lord's will. He wasn't having a pity party & thinking about earthly desires. He saw the bigger picture.
Paul was being Christlike in his behavior. Christ was humble and gave up everything he had to serve others and God. As followers of Christ, we need to desire to live as he lived. Be humble, selfless, share someone's burden, serve and give with a joyful heart. Don't hold on to bitterness, anger, selfishness, ignoring an issue, or your "right to" do what you please. That is destructive.
The next time you feel like you are having a Calgon moment, remember Paul. Remember to be thankful in that situation. Your baby won't cry forever-you're blessed to even have this child. The homework will be done at some point-many kids can't even read or write, let alone attend school in parts of the world. The rain will stop-the sun will come out, look at the new blooms. You will get through the bad traffic-give thanks for not being the cause of the back up.
Focus on the bigger picture.
Philippians 2:5-11 tells us , "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Wishing on Calgon to take us away; I Dream of Jeannie to blink us to an island; or Dorothy's red shoes to whisk us somewhere else, all sound wonderful. Magical. But as the old (and sometimes annoying) saying goes, "Don't wish your life away." How can we look at the current state of our lives & say, "Wow, I am thankful for this!"? Can you, right this minute, see a bigger picture?
Paul helps me to remember the bigger picture with his words in Philippians 4:11-13 NIV- "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Especially focus on, "I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation...". That is a pretty hard reality for some of us, as it was for Paul. He was beaten multiple times, left for dead at one point, hated, and imprisoned. Yet he was thankful for it all. Paul was focused on his service, his mission, whatever that entailed. He was thankful because he was doing the Lord's will. He wasn't having a pity party & thinking about earthly desires. He saw the bigger picture.
Paul was being Christlike in his behavior. Christ was humble and gave up everything he had to serve others and God. As followers of Christ, we need to desire to live as he lived. Be humble, selfless, share someone's burden, serve and give with a joyful heart. Don't hold on to bitterness, anger, selfishness, ignoring an issue, or your "right to" do what you please. That is destructive.
The next time you feel like you are having a Calgon moment, remember Paul. Remember to be thankful in that situation. Your baby won't cry forever-you're blessed to even have this child. The homework will be done at some point-many kids can't even read or write, let alone attend school in parts of the world. The rain will stop-the sun will come out, look at the new blooms. You will get through the bad traffic-give thanks for not being the cause of the back up.
Focus on the bigger picture.
Philippians 2:5-11 tells us , "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."