Aloha Family!
Sometimes God Just Blesses You.
As I sit on my deck in beautiful, sunny, Maui, Hawaii, God seems to just flat out BLESS me a lot : )
I’ve been blessed to sit in 85 degrees for the last two weeks, to surf…lots, to snorkel among the prettiest fish, swim in the ocean and water falls, listen to reggae constantly, kill a 5500 cal cheeseburger challenge, look at rainbows everywhere and spend time with my favorite people.
Mahalo (Thank you) God.
How is it that we just happen to be the ones our neighbor’s relatives wanted to house swap with? Or that that family happened to live in hawaii? (the brims of my mouth rise even as I write it)
Must be God. Has to be.
How else can some things that are so good be explained? It’s easy to see God, and be thankful when times are good.
When you’re in Hawaii.
When your family is awesome.
When you have a girlfriend.
When you feel loved.
When you attend Michigan State University.
When you get A’s.
When the bills are paid.
When your family, friends, mentors are proud of you.
When you wine and dine at restaurants.
When you have Christian community.
When the sun shines on your life.
When you’re about to embark on a year long 11 country Jesus adventure.
But what about when times aren’t good? I know that it is common to turn to God in times of trouble, just as easy it is to forget about God when life seems like its all together.
But to be thankful, that is tough for me.
“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (MSG)
So what about when life sucks? Still thankful?
When you’ve been in the same crummy place for years.
When your family fights.
When you’ve been single for forever.
When you feel unwanted and unloved.
When you’ve been kicked out of school… twice.
When you’ve failed after studying for 40 hours for an exam.
When you’re always behind on bills.
When no one is proud of you, smiles at you, or even looks at you.
When you’ve never been to a restaurant.
When you’re the only Christian you know.
When everything goes wrong. Everything.
Maybe you can relate with the list. People in this hurting world can.
Why would we thank God then? It’s not fair right?
What’s not fair is that God chose you, that Jesus actually gave up fame and ruling the world to die gruesomely for you. What’s not fair is even after that you can really LIVE life abundantly now, you can really go to Heaven, forever, be with God forever.
That’s why we should ALWAYS be thankful and cheerful toward God. Not swayed by circumstances. Because when others see this thankfulness, they see the real Jesus : )
So in Good and in Bad,
Mahalo God.
Jake MacLean
