Title [Happy Today] It was like an angel's face
Contents
Acts 6:15
“Do not grumble over what you have lost, but be grateful for what you have left.”
The difference between prison and monastery is contrasted by the difference between complaining and gratitude. The common denominator of prisons and monasteries is that the environment is similar, such as rough meals, bad sleep, and hard work. But in prison a day is usually filled with complaints, and in a monastery a day is spent with gratitude.
Wouldn't the secret to finding happiness and satisfaction the fastest is to be grateful for everything? Yes, it makes you happy as much as you are grateful.
That is why the Apostle Paul appeals to us to live with thanks in all things. Because he lived so happily through many thanks. I repeat the saying, “When gratitude is restored, happiness is restored” several times a day.
There are the most envious people. He's the one I'm most grateful for.
Job, a man from the Old Testament times, whom we know well, was very grateful even in a desperate situation. He lost his property and lost his children. Not only that, but he also lost his health and his family. However, he did not lose the most precious thing, the one thing he did not lose, that was thanks to him. Even if we lost everything, we didn't lose our gratitude.
“It was God who gave. It is God who took it.” It is a level of belief that we cannot even imagine at the level of criminals like us.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These are precious words of exhortation to pray for a happy life that enjoys the grace of the Lord and savors the peace of heaven moment by moment. Jesus also said, “No matter which house you visit, it is said that you may find peace in that house of dust. If you are worthy of empty peace, then it will come to that house; otherwise, the blessing you are empty of will come upon you.”
Since the face is the mirror of the mind and words are the expression of the mind, don't they say that the mind is reflected in one's face and words? People who have true peace and joy in their hearts are different in their words, actions, and expressions. I hope that I will be a wise person in life who knows how to live by looking at my life farther and deeply and diagnosing what I should look like today as seen from the grave, rather than a desolate and devastated heart that has been deprived of all peace of mind by falling into slavery to greed and desire. I hope.
At the end of Acts 6, there is a scene of Stephen's farewell sermon just before his martyrdom. It is very short, but there is an expression of strong impression.
In the course of the trial, “All those who sat in the council looked at Stephen and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Just thinking of ‘Angel’s Face’ reminds me of the fantastic picture of Peace. The image just before martyrdom is as if the physical pain and oppression of the surrounding environment are completely liberated, and the glory of heaven and the magnificence of seeing the Lord are flowing.
Although my body is here, I dare to pursue and pray for the happiness of living in peace with the present address of my heart in heaven. I bless you all who live in gratitude for the little things.
Kang Sang-won