We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people -- the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world -- just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. Colossians 1:3-6
My wife, Lisa, and I are blessed to have the privilege of raising three wonderful kids who are all adults now. We together reflect on the wonderful years and the journey in raising them. As a side note, raising kids doesn't stop when they're adults, glad to say. In my garage I still have two large drawers full of VHS movies, most are Disney. I've opined that I could fill those drawers up with useful tools and items to be more organized, but those tapes are sort of sacred somehow. Don't get me wrong, they all exist wonderfully remastered in HD on the Disney App, but in the meantime, these collectors are merely collecting dust.
One of many movies that both of my daughters love is in those garage drawers: the 1960 action drama Walt Disney Production feature film Pollyanna, starring child actress Haley Mills. If you've not seen it, I do recommend it; the message is timeless. To be brief, Pollyanna is a cheerful orphan who changes the outlook of a small town; the movie is based on the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor H. Porter. It's her outlook that changes folks as well as a game that she plays: the 'glad game.' In this game -- 'the glad game' -- Pollyanna strives to find something to be glad about in every situation. If you have time, Pollyanna explains it in this clip from the film. According to the field of psychology, the 'glad game' has merit by shaping a positive outlook on life and creating an attitude of gratitude, but as Christians, we have more -- much more.
In the Colossians reading above, Paul shares in his message to the people of Colossae that our hope springs from the hope stored up for us in heaven that comes to us in the Gospel message of Jesus. It's Jesus' death for our sins and resurrection from the grave that gives God's people eternal hope. This hope can't be taken away. Jesus' death conquered death, sin, and the power of the devil, and that's why we have hope!
I like the 'glad game,' but we are blessed to have a God, who by His grace, gives us something to truly be glad about: our love for each other, and hope in Jesus Christ! Amen!
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us joyful and glad hearts that are shaped and inspired by Your amazing grace and unending love. We know that we fall short on a daily basis and need the hope You give us in the gift of Christ. Be with those who are suffering from the virus, in health or economic impact. Remind us all daily that our hope in Christ is eternal and yet new each day. Allow us to share that hope with those in need and those who desperately need to hear about Your great love for us in the gift of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!
Guest Devotional thought by:
Jeffrey S. Beavers, CEO
Crean Lutheran High School