Some Parting Thoughts

In a previous article, I had highlighted a point given by pastor Thomas Brooks in one of his last sermons to his church. At the end of the sermon, he rattled off 27 of what he called “legacies”. These were short points to leave his church to reflect on during his absence. I want to highlight three of them here in this article. They all have to do with reflection, remembrance, and perspective.

The first one I want to reference, Thomas said, “Eye more, mind more, and lay to heart more, the spiritual and eternal workings of God in your souls, than the external providences of God in the world.” That is very interesting to bring up. How often have you done that? Have you ever done that? Have you ever taken the time to reflect on how God has worked on your soul? Because He is, isn't He? He continues, “Not a soul but he is carrying on some work or other in it, either blinding or enlightening, bettering or worsening; therefore, look to what God is doing in thy soul. All the motions of God within you are steps to eternity, and every soul shall be blessed or cursed, saved or lost to all eternity, not according to outward dispensations, but according to the inward operations of God in your souls.” I think Brooks’ point is that we too often look at what God does externally, instead of internally. But what a thoughtful exercise. Taking the time to look at how you have changed, how you have grown, how you have repented in varying areas, how you have matured, etc. He finishes his point by saying, “If God should carry on never so glorious a work in the world, as a conquest of the nations to Christ, what would it advantage thee if sin, Satan, and the world should triumph in thy soul, and carry the day there?” That is a very good question. So reflect on the inner workings of God’s Spirit in your life.

The next legacy that Thomas mentions is, “Look as well on the bright side as on the dark side of the cloud; on the bright side of providence as well as on the dark side of providence.” How often have we fallen prey to this? To always look at the negative of our circumstances? Thomas refers to this as a weakness in our faith: “Beloved, there is a great weakness amongst Christians; they do so dwell on the dark side of the providence that they have no heart to consider the bright side.” There is a hopelessness in always looking at things pessimistically. But we are never to lose hope! We are on God’s side! And everything that happens to us, He allows for our good in some way, shape, or form. Brooks then gives some great biblical examples of this: “If you look on the dark side of the providence of God to Joseph, how terrible and amazing was it! But if you look on the bright side, his fourscore years' reign, how glorious was it! If you look on the dark side of the providence of God to David in his five years' banishment, much will arise to startle you; but if you turn to the bright side, his forty years' reign in glory, how amiable was it! Look on the dark side of the providence of God to Job, oh, how terrible was it in the first of Job! But compare this with the last of Job, where you have the bright side of the cloud, and there God doubles all his mercies to him. Consider the patience of Job, and the end that the Lord made with him.”

How right is he? Too often, we allow our minds to focus on just the negative as if that is the whole story. Imagine reading the Christmas Carol only to stop reading once Scrooge is done speaking to the ghost of Christmas future? How depressing and fatalistic would that be? But that is not the whole story! There is still more. The bright side. He had a second chance. And so it is with us. We may never see things so clearly as a story in the bible, but we don’t need to! We know God and should trust Him that this trial is all for our benefit and His glory! Do not just concentrate on the clouds. Do not just fixate on the dark. Do not just gaze on the negative. There is always a light side to God’s providence! He finished his point by saying, “Do not remember the beginning only, for that was the dark side; but turn to the end of him, and there was his bright side. Many sins, many temptations, and much affliction would be prevented by Christians looking on the bright side of providence as well as on the dark.” So let us take heed and look properly at our situation.

The last point I want to feature has to do with some physical activity. Brooks says that Christians should “Record all special favours, mercies, providences, and experiences.” Have you ever tried this? Have you ever taken the time to actually write down all that God has done for you? To put pen to paper and write out every blessing, favor, mercy, experience, gift, and grace, both big and small? In fact, Thomas admits that if we were to do that, “...a man should do nothing else, should he record all the favours and experiences of God towards him…” Which is true. We could spend a lifetime recording all that God has done for us. And if you engage this practice and can only fill a page or two, then you are not thinking hard enough. Or you do not realize just how much He does for you. Which is the whole point, isn't it? To help us realize just how wonderful and awesome God is! How much He has given to us that we do not deserve! Brooks actually says, “Little do you know the advantage that will increase to your soul upon this account by recording all the experiences of the shinings of his face, of the leadings of his Spirit. Many a Christian loseth much by neglecting this duty.” Do not lose out by neglecting this duty, my friends. Too often, what we focus on in our sinfulness is what we don’t have. We like to think about what we want that we still don’t have. Take the time and reflect on all that He has given to us! Grow your gratitude toward your Father. Consider how much He has blessed you and worship Him because of it! And don’t just think about it. Actually write it down so that you can physically see how much more you are blessed than you realize and often take for granted.