Victory Over One Thing

Living Lessons: Victory Over One Thing

By: Christopher Wiles

"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' He said." - Mark 10:21a

If Jesus looked at my life, I don't think He would say "One thing you lack."  I think would exclaim (imagine a loving southern drawl here), "Here's a whole boatload of stuff we've got to work on boy!"  As He reveals my weaknesses to me, I try to work on ways to repent and then glorify Him.

Recently, I found myself beginning to complain about the cold when I felt the Spirit tapping my conscience on the shoulder saying, "This is one thing you lack."  I was then reminded of Paul's words to the church at Thessalonica, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thess 5:16-18

I'm thinking about that "for this is God's will for you" part.  Is my complaining about the consistent cold part of God's will for me?  It seems to be a far cry from "rejoice always" and "give thanks in all circumstances" that Paul instructs. 

I determined to work on a way to actively rejoice in the cold, appreciate it, and give thanks for it.  Truth be told, my wife thought I was a little crazy with my idea.  She even registered her "formal complaint" before she saw me go ice skating across the pond at Eastside Park while in a 20 degree snow fall.

Ice Skating Outside!

ICE SKATING OUTSIDE! (This was a new first for me.  Here's the video evidence: https://instagram.com/p/zmMBI_Pw11 .) 

Then I thanked God not just for the three weeks of cold weather that made the thick ice, but I thanked Him too for not horribly embarrassing me with a trip/fall and polar plunge combination.  It may be a small thing to everyone else, turning my griping to rejoicing, but I consider it a significant victory in the battle against all my many "one things." 

It's such a great reminder that it is worthy of repeating.  "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Consider how you can live out this Holy Scripture today.  You'll be glad you did.