life plan

A friend and I were talking the other day about writing a self-help book. We were noting all the different ideas for health plans and diets and financial success that had made their authors wealthy. We discussed the new trend of life coaches, people who make a living telling other people how they should live. Surely, we thought, we can come up with something people would buy, since they seem to buy almost anything.

It was all in fun, but this morning I found it. I found that life advice I would write a book about. Paul summed it up in 1 Thessalonians 5:16: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

It’s a simple plan, isn’t it? Only three steps.

Rejoice always. Isn’t that great? You don’t have to decide to be sad or mad or discouraged; the attitude that’s appropriate for every occasion is rejoicing.

And pray continuously. That’s the best way to be effective and productive. It’s the way to have the most energy and do the best things with it. An extended conversation with our Lord and Boss and Father and Provider is sure to yield everything we need.

And give thanks in all circumstances. Rain or shine, healthy or not so much, wealthy or not so much, thanks are appropriate, because our future has already been secured for us.

What could be easier? We only have to remember three things: rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving. And they’re so closely linked its easy to do them simultaneously.

What these three things communicate is a singular truth: God, who made us, and Jesus, who died and rose for us, and the Holy Spirit, who guides us and advocates for us, are more than enough to get us through anything we face. They’re more than enough to help us accomplish any of God’s works. Because God himself is for us, no one can possibly stand against us.

That’s the only way we rejoice always, pray continuously and give thanks in all circumstances, by living that reality. People who don’t put their hope in God won’t get it. But those of us who do now have our perfect life plan.