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Chronic Gratitude Dawn M. Haeger, Church of the Cross, Hoffman Estates, IL, November 26, 2006 As I read the first verse of our Scripture for this evening, I recalled a song from my childhood Sunday School experiences. Many of you probably know it and could sing along if Judy began playing, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart, down in my heart. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.” Paul tells us, “Rejoice in the LORD always; again I say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4). The themes of joy and rejoicing are so prevalent in Philippians; they appear 14 times, culminating in our passage. Paul is not simply telling us to, in the words of that classical musical number, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He is insisting that believers are to: celebrate, express joy, cheer, exult and delight in their relationship with God. What isn’t clear from the text we just read, but is stated earlier, is that Paul is writing these instructions to the church at Philippi from prison. He has been charged with a crime that could be punishable by death. So, staring his own mortality in the eye, Paul shouts, “Rejoice in the LORD always; again I say, Rejoice.” Theologian William Dyrness describes Paul’s attitude as, “Though in a place of distress, he can be calm because the Lord is near. Whatever happens can only result in additional opportunities for him to enjoy or extend the reality of Christ’s presence. So he, [Paul], can say with perfect honesty that nothing need disturb him; he can be content whether he is well fed or hungry, has plenty or is in need. This is not simply the absence of concern, a kind of Greek apatheia [or apathy] or Eastern release from desire. The impetus to rejoice is a positive reality, which Paul describes as the peace of God which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul has the joy, joy, joy, joy down in his heart to stay. And clearly, he wants all believers to experience the same. Paul desires the Philippians then and us today to be so confident and secure of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ that nothing can disturb the joy that is central to our being. He continues, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God” (v. 6). Don’t worry; Paul declares. Well, that’s easier said than done. We Americans are an anxious lot. We worry about many, many things. According to the American Psychological Association, more than half of all working Americans say they are concerned about the amount of stress in their lives. Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress, 75 to 90 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints. Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death--heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. We are chronic worriers, but Paul declares that need not be the case. This same association also reports that there is also a connection between those who have religious beliefs and good health. Belief in God is not only good for our souls; it is good for our bodies. “Do not worry about anything.” Paul is not in some ivory tower tossing platitudes at us; he is in prison, yet he affirms that we are to rejoice. How is that possible? How is he, being faced with his own mortality, able to rejoice? Paul is not rejoicing in his own abilities nor does he expect us to be able to rejoice in ours. “Rejoice in the Lord,” he proclaims. Trusting in God’s love made known to us in Jesus Christ, Paul is able to offer prayers of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving. Giving thanks. That’s what this celebration is all about. It is the time of year when we are comfortable discussing the blessings in our lives, families, friends, health, our faith community. By sharing our thanks with others, we somehow are lead to a deeper awareness and feeling of gratitude. We become aware that God’s blessings are indeed generous and overflowing. When we frame our lives with gratitude, chronic gratitude – long-lasting, always present, habitual gratitude, we are able to see God’s blessings everyday. It is this gratitude that allows us to rejoice in the Lord always. Our circumstances are important, but they do not form our identity – what stands at our core – what is vital to who we are. Instead, it is that which defines us that determines how we respond to our circumstances. Will we respond to life’s situations with despair and enmity or with hope and peace? “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” Paul writes, “will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (v.7). As our family sits around the table, groaning under the weight of the food, and shares, from youngest to oldest, what we are most grateful for, God’s peace does indeed settle over us. We are reminded, once again, how God’s ever flowing mercy and love have touched us and we respond with prayers of thanksgiving. “We know the peace of Jesus, peace of Jesus Down in our hearts, down in our hearts. We know the peace of Jesus, peace of Jesus, down in our hearts to stay.” To God be all glory and honor, now and forever more. Amen. | |||||
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