In the former Soviet Union, peasant farmers often enjoyed telling humorous stories to lighten their dreary lives. The following is such a story: One day, a government commissar visited a farmer and inquired about the year’s potato crop. “Oh, it was wonderful,” the farmer replied slyly. “It was so big, it reached up to the very foot of God.” The commissar’s countenance quickly changed. With a scowl, he said, “But comrade, this is a communist state and we are atheists. You must not forget, there is no God!” “Ah, that’s my point,” the farmer replied. “No God — no potatoes!” Yes, whether we believe it or not, God is the source of all things (Psalm 136:25). The apostle Paul once told a pagan audience, “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). And in Colossians 1:12-18, Paul gives emphasis to the great creating and sustaining work of God in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Without His sustaining power, we couldn’t draw a single breath (Hebrews 1:1-3). As Christians, do we who confess faith in a personal God, to whom we owe our very existence, respond with thanksgiving, worship, and praise? If not, we differ little from that commissar who saw no connection between God and potatoes. —Mike Riley LOOK FOR MAGIC MOMENTS
“Do everything without grumbling.”—Philippians 2:14 Julia Hawkins lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she takes daily walks and tends her botanical garden. Julia took up running at age 100; set a record in the 100-yard dash at 101, and just finished the 50- and 100-yard dash races at the National Senior Games in Albuquerque at 103. Asked if she had any advice about happy longevity, Julia replied: “Keep active, exercise, keep in good shape if you can. And look for magic moments—like sunsets, rainbows, beautiful birds, and people’s positive comments. All of those are magic moments, and they’re free. Keep your eye open for them.” Great advice. We have a choice: we can be energized by magic moments or debilitated by tragic moments. We can focus on blessings or adversities; we can choose to be happy or to be miserable. Your reaction to every experience is your choice. Abraham Lincoln said, “Folks are usually as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Each day we can choose joy. The Psalmist reminds us: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) —Adapted from an article by Joe Barnett