“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
This morning, I pulled up to a four-way stop. Two cars had arrived just before me, and I was already bracing myself for the great Minnesota standoff.
You know the one. Everyone is so polite that nobody wants to go first. One driver gives that friendly little wave, inviting another to go ahead. The other driver waves back. Then, just when someone finally decides to move, all three cars start rolling at the same time. Everyone hits the brakes, and the whole process starts over again.
It’s Minnesota Nice at its finest!
But this morning, something remarkable happened.
The first car simply went. Then the second car went. Then I went.
No waving. No hesitation. No awkward starts and stops. Just three drivers who apparently remembered how a four-way stop works!
In fact, it took far less time to get through that intersection than it just took me to tell you about it.
And just like that, I was off to a good day. A simple little victory at a four-way stop!
Sometimes It’s the Little Things
Isn’t it amazing how little it sometimes takes to either make our day or ruin our day?
A smooth trip through an intersection can put a little spring in our step. On the other hand, a 40-second Minnesota standoff can leave us muttering, “Well, it’s going to be one of THOSE days!”
The circumstances haven’t really changed much. We’re talking about a few seconds at a stop sign. But our attitude toward those circumstances can make all the difference.
The Apostle Paul reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Notice that he doesn’t say to give thanks only when everything goes smoothly, when everyone drives correctly, or when life cooperates with our plans.
He says in all circumstances. That’s not always easy.
Left to ourselves, we’re often much better at noticing what goes wrong than at recognizing the blessings God places right in front of us.
But here’s a thought: What if we intentionally started each day with a little victory? Not necessarily at a four-way stop, but in God’s Word.
Setting Ourselves Up for a Win
Let’s make a plan.
What if you decided to spend just five minutes reading your Bible, three mornings a week?
That’s it. Five minutes. Three days.
I’m not suggesting you need to begin with an ambitious reading schedule that has you working through Leviticus before breakfast. Just open your Bible and spend a few minutes listening to what God has to say.
And here’s the beauty of this plan: We’re setting ourselves up for success!
If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. There’s always tomorrow. If you take those five minutes, celebrate! You’ve spent time in God’s Word, and that’s a good way to begin the day.
Now imagine the excitement when you actually read your Bible FOUR mornings in one week!
You’ve exceeded your goal!
Of course, being human, you now face a difficult decision. Do you celebrate that extra day in God’s Word, or do you start calculating whether you’re already one day ahead for next week?
Either way, I’m calling it a win!
A Little More Each Day
Personally, I’m a five-day-a-week Bible reader. That’s my regular goal. And when I manage six days, or sometimes even seven, it feels extra awesome.
Over time, I’ve worked my way up to reading about ten chapters a day, most days.
But some days it’s only eight chapters. Other days it’s five. And occasionally, life happens, and I don’t get to it at all.
I’ve learned not to beat myself up over that.
My goal isn’t to keep a perfect scorecard. My goal is to spend time in God’s Word, to listen, to learn, and to ponder what I’ve read.
After all, reading the Bible isn’t about earning God’s approval or checking another box on our spiritual to-do list. In Christ, we already have God’s love and forgiveness. We don’t read Scripture to make God love us more. We read because He loves us and wants to speak to us through His Word.
And what a gift that is!
Every time we open the Scriptures, we have the opportunity to hear again about God’s faithfulness, His promises, His mercy, and His grace in Jesus Christ.
Some days a passage will challenge us. Some days it will comfort us. Some days we’ll discover something we’ve never noticed before. And some days we may simply be reminded of a truth we’ve known for years.
That’s the wonderful thing about God’s Word. The victory isn’t in how many chapters we finish. The blessing is in the God who meets us there through His Word.
Celebrate the Little Victories
So here’s my encouragement for today: Look for those little victories.
Give thanks for the simple blessings that come your way. A good conversation. An unexpected kindness. A beautiful sunrise. Or even three Minnesota drivers who manage to navigate a four-way stop without turning it into a committee meeting.
And while you’re at it, make a little room in your morning for God’s Word.
Start small. Keep it simple. Enjoy the time. And when you miss a day, remember that God’s grace isn’t measured by the number of checkmarks on your Bible reading calendar.
Tomorrow is another opportunity to open His Word and hear His promises again.
So the next time you pull up to a four-way stop, prepare yourself for the inevitable Minnesota standoff. And if everyone actually takes their turn, celebrate that little victory!
Oh, yeah, and read your Bible.
Just not at the four-way stop!