John ESENE

 

     The Catechism in a Year answers the question (555) When is thanksgiving to God? Thus “The Church gives thanks to God unceasingly, above all in celebrating the Eucharist in which Christ allows her to participate in his own thanksgiving to the Father. For the Christian every event becomes a reason for giving thanks.” For further reading: CCC 2637-2638.

       Paul put it this way in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always, pray at all times, and be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.” We take for granted the sun’s warmth and the nourishing rain without thanking God for them daily. We also take for granted the water we drink and bath with daily, the air we breathe every second and minute of the day without thanking God for these and many more!

     When a 78yr- old-man was charged N500, 000.00 for the oxygen he used for just 24 hours in a hospital, he wept profusely before the doctor and wondered aloud saying, “If I could be charged so much just for a day, then, how much do I owe God for the air I breathed for the past 78 years?”  And from that day onward, he started thanking God for everything on daily basis. I urge you to be in the habit of thanking God for everything He has done for you (known and unknown). That is one of the ways we can repay the Lord for His goodness to us!

     Thomas A. Kempis once said, “Be grateful, therefore, for the least gift and you will be worthy to receive more. Nothing is small that comes from the Most High God. Indeed, even if He sends punishment and affliction, we should accept it with gratitude: for whatever He permits to happen to us is always with our salvation in view.” Romans 8:32 complemented the above saying, “God gave us His Son, will He not also freely give us all things?” Yes! He will as He has always done!

     Do you realize that one of the greatest miracles in our life is to sleep and wake up to see a new day? Lamentation 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” So, when you rise each morning say with Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”  With this acknowledgment, commit the day into God’s hand and let Him fulfill His plans for you.  

          Today, we all (both poor and rich) live by the grace of God, irrespective of the current hardships and insecurity in our country. Unfortunately not many people appreciate the fact that God is the one sustaining us. You do not have to device unrighteous means to meet your needs; God has not abandoned us. Every problem has expiring date. Hence, decide to pray and wait on God to do the impossibility. Almighty God, open our eyes to recognize your favors and blessings  that come upon us from your throne daily and grant us the grace to value and be thankful for them!

      No matter the situation, pray and praise Jesus, the God of impossibilities. “Is anyone among you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? He should sing praises” Jas 5:13. Man has short memories: God has been protecting and providing for you over the time. Each time the wind blows, you cry bitterly as if God has abandoned you.  And when God calms your raging storm, you should thank Him.

     Psalm 150:6 says, “Praise the Lord, all living creatures” Any river which forgets its source will have to dry up. The song, “All I have is given to me by the Lord” says it all. Remember that you are from God and will return to Him who created you for a purpose. Attribute all your achievements to Him who gave you life and watches over you.

      Have you gotten to the point of asking like the Psalmist in 13:1-3, “How much longer will you forget me, Lord, Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? Look at me, O Lord my God, and answer me.” But 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

    God created you from nothing and without your efforts. That your prayers are not answered or your problems are not solved does not mean that God does not love you. For a special purpose, He created you and kept you till this moment. The sun, the moon and the stars He made to shine on you even when you do not deserve the pleasure.  What have you done for God in return?

    Jesus Christ died for us to prove how much God loves us! Whenever you think you are suffering, remember that Jesus also suffered like us (for us) but did not sin nor gave up His mission. Then, cry to Jesus your God and true friend who was betrayed by Judas and died for our sins and you will not remain the same again because He will guide you as the apple of His eye.

    Our happiness and salvation is more important to Jesus than the troubles we cry about today. He is eagerly waiting for us to repent and be saved.  Our duty is to abide by Him that we may bear fruit. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Jn 15:4. In Isaiah 43:2 God said, “When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you” Is 43:2.  God does not lie!

     In appreciation for what Jesus has done for us, let us repent of our sins and draw near to Him. Col.1:16 says “For in Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him.” But because He loves us, He came down to the earth in human form as the poorest king that ever lived. He was born in a borrowed place and when He died, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Mt. 8:20 says, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

     I saw a man with both arms gone (double amputee) and he was smiling all the way while those who have no deformity were looking scornfully because of one problem or the other. Please, smile because Jesus loves you and died for you. When you appreciate what God has done for you, He will certainly do more for you.

Please expect Pt.2 soon.