Do you love the high price of gas?  I read an interesting article in a recent edition of Newsweek written by Jennifer Perrow. She explains that she loves the high price of gas because it’s helped her family stop being so dependent on their cars. I believe that she is not alone in discovering the hidden happiness due to high gas prices these days.  If we ride bikes, arrange to carpool with neighbors, borrow books from friends instead of traveling to the bookstore or the library in a car, we will have more priceless time to talk with people, keep fit, and actually save money.

 

After reading the article, I thought about that concept in spiritual terms.  As Christians, what kind of benefits do we have during difficult times in our lives?  For me, difficult times have led me to increase my prayer and meditation time before God.  I try to listen to God’s voice and long for His guidance in trials.  I promised God that I would remember how He helped me in the critical times the next time I encounter them.  As a result, I find that I now deal with difficulties with much more spiritual maturity than before.

 

“Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?  When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:  God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14).”

 

I believe that God always tells us He is with us and promises that He will help us.  The problem is there are many distractions to keep us from hearing God.  It can be money, computer games, sports, or unhealthy relationships with people.  Our number one priority should be to listen to God’s voice and follow His guidance.  Reading the Bible, giving worship, and praying to God regularly are some examples of how we can do this. We should not forget to praise God with our voices and instruments because God loves it; our spirit can reach our God directly and quickly this way.

 

We will resume our church music program soon. Let us glorify our God with our musical talent and effort.  How can we keep from singing?