When I went to read my Bible this morning, God took me to Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." If I believed in chance it would be ironic that this verse was in front of me. However, I believe in God's sovereignty.
The theme of God's message to me over the last few weeks has been to find contentment in Him, remember that His timing is always perfect, and choose joy. Back in July I wrote about this verse and was focused on hope. This time I read it and He tells me to rejoice. What an easy thing to say, but such a hard thing to do when the stress is overwhelming and the heart is heavy.
I decided to go back and read the entire chapter to make sure I understood the context of the verse. I found not only that I need to choose joy, but discerning God's will for my life also involves sacrifice, gifts, and love.
My mission statement, if I were ever to take the time to write one, might be drawn from Romans 12:
1. To offer myself as a living sacrifice
2. To choose transformation of my mind so that I can discern the perfect will of God
3. To think sensibly
4. To use the spiritual gifts He gracefully chose to give me
5. To love without hypocrisy
6. To choose joy in affliction
7. To choose to bless people by empathizing with their ups and downs, not curse them
8. To choose humility over pride
9. To take care of my enemies in their time of need
10. To conquer evil with good
I purposefully repeat that I choose these actions. As a great father, God teaches me but then gives me the free will to make my own choices. There are rewards and consequences for every choice I make. The reward I seek is a life that is "holy and pleasing to God" so that I am able to "discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" for my life. (v. 1-2)
I do not always understand where circumstances in my life are taking me. And honestly, I get impaitient with the waiting. But if I choose to believe that God is in control, I know I can find the ability to rejoice.
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