Have you noticed that sometimes people are grumpy, short-tempered, wearing a deadpan or even sour expression on their faces so that they self-isolate? No one really wants to interact with such people. Others, whether they really feel well or not, whether they’re facing difficulties or pain in their lives, or living in the same circumstances as the dour one I just described, care more about the other person they’re with than themselves? They even engage with others, wearing smiles, or even hug with empathy when they discover the sad person needs encouragement.
The Genesis story tells of God’s creation of the world, and after each part of the creative effort, God said, “It is good.” Each part of his vast plan had its place, and each gave Him delight. We can learn something from that. There is, it seems to me, good to be found in every circumstance, even when we’re troubled about something or carrying another person’s burdens as well as our own.
Ephesians chapter 15 gives advice to those who walk in the light. The New Living Translation puts it this way. I contend that our attitude adjustment can made a big difference, even while we living in this fallen world. This advice will put a song in our hearts, praise on our lips, thanksgiving in our inner being, and, I will guarantee, “It is good!”
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[ and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Living with this attitude will put a spring in your step, a smile on your face, because joy is in your heart. We can celebrate seeing God’s grace in 2023, whatever we are facing. Is it sorrow? Is it disgust at how world affairs seem to be going? Is it difficulty in relationships? God knows about these. He sent Jesus to live among the Romans who crucified Him. He was betrayed by those who were near Him. He wept when Lazarus, his friend, died. But, He overcame these difficulties and is triumphantly showing us how to live through life with an attitude of gratitude.
We can, and should turn off the television when commentators and video clips try to make us angry or sad. We can and should stay away from foolish things which fritter away our time and keep us from being productive. We can and should be awake to the things which encourage us. We can listen to Christian music and sing along with hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs and make music to the Lord in our hearts. With prayer, the Word, and listening to Biblical teachig, we can overcome the evil which surrounds us.
Daily we need this attitude adjustment, for we indeed do live in an evil world of debauchery, self-centeredness, drunkenness, greed, and immorality. We who live triumphantly can look for what is good, see God’s grace, and celebrate in ’23.
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