Reflections on Living Abundantly in Christ

 

Cabbages and Kings looks at life and lessons learned through God’s refining process. elates her discoveries as she searches for a joy-filled daily walk. Expect to be amused, inspired, encouraged, and motivated as you consider attitudes and habits essential for abundant living. Requirements:

• Confront fear, anger, discouragement, inferiority.
• Move past failure and guilt.
• Put love and forgiveness into practice.
• Strengthen faith and renew hope.
• Choose to live joyfully.

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Making the Choice to Rejoice

 

I’m repeating the “Rejoice” class, and this time I’m determined to pass the course.

After reading the requirements, I went to the Instructor. “You actually expect me to do that?”

He said, “It’s tough but…yes.” He showed me the requirements again.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV).

“Okay…so…hummmm…well…gotta start somewhere…but not here. I’m in a hard place and I don’t feel like rejoicing.”

He said, “You can rejoice by choice. It’s a decision—a deliberate act of the will, independent of feeling. What happens will surprise you.”

Skeptical, I looked at the assignment: memorize Psalm 9:1-2. A nice little praise passage…I can do that.

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

In hard places I found myself instinctively repeating those words. Surprise! What began as a formality became a habit that flooded me with joy!

Midway through the class the Instructor made it clear God wants me to rejoice and praise him, not because he needs it (the heavens declare his glory), but because I need it.

In situations where I find nothing to rejoice about, I rejoice in him. Rejoicing by decision leads to genuine rejoicing.

I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart! I will be glad and rejoice in you!

I don’t expect an “A” but I’m pretty sure I’m going to pass the class.

 

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Rock Bottom

 

I’m writing from Rock Bottom.

The area lies in a valley just beyond the Dumps, a short distance from Wit’s End. It’s not accessible from the Main Road but by detour down several secondary roads marked Chip on the Shoulder, Pet Peeves, Snap Judgments, Wrong Conclusions, Hard Feelings, Bad Attitude, and Sour Mood.

I didn’t intend to detour. While carrying a heavy load, I encountered a Friend who offered to lift it from me. But I felt sure I could go a bit further. Immediately the load seemed larger. Then all I could see was the load. That’s how I lost my way.

Realizing I’d wandered off the Main Road, I wanted to turn back and find my Friend. But surely I’d traveled too far for him to hear my cry for help. So I kept trudging along, passing through the Dumps and on to Wit’s End before ending up in this dreary place, Rock Bottom.

Along the way I lost some basic equipment needed for the journey—sense of humor, ability to see things in perspective, willingness to tolerate imperfection. Now I’m alone and weary.

Look! Isn’t that just like my Friend to come to me here, carry my load, lead me out, and send me on toward my destination, Fullness of Joy!

Next time I start down the wrong road, Lord, trip me.