My car just broke down. I mean that about as literally as a person can mean that, and actually be at a computer typing. It's 1:30 AM. My car stopped moving at around 11:00 PM. I was hoping to be asleep by 11:30. I have to admit that, as my car made a cracking noise and came to a grinding halt on the pavement of the hill on Adam Street in Heslpler, I swore. It is also not a warm night.

As I waited (and shivered) for the tow-truck to arrive, I couldn't help but think about how much money this was going to cost me. I couldn't help but think "Gee, I wish I had remembered a toque". I couldn't help but think, "I wish I had charged my cell phone last night".

Now, as I sit here looking at my list of complaints, and consider all of the other nuisansces that I had to endure this evening (and won't bother to tell you about), I am reminded of another list. I'm not going to copy it out, but check out 2 Cor 11:23-28. This is a guy named Paul talking.

I realize I'm taking this out of context - Paul's talking about boasting about his weaknesses to the glory of God, which is far from my point here - but I just wanted to give you a little background on the guy. Because this same guy, Paul, who endured all the junk you just read about, also wrote other stuff. Specifically, I'm thinking about a letter called Phillipians, which I'm told is also know as "the treatise on joy". You should read it. It's really short and a breeze to read.

So how can this guy who's had all these nasty things happen to him not be royally ticked off? If you ask me, I say it's all about what you focus on. If you look at the problems all you're going to see is problems. But if you look at the solution, maybe (just maybe) you'll be seeing Jesus. And if you think about everything that includes, you just might see that there's reason for hope, and even joy.

Jesus himself said "'Seek and you will find'". I think, among the things He meant by that, He also meant that you'll only find what you look for.

So what does that mean for me? Well, I'm now sitting at home enjoying a cup of tea. My toes have finally finished going through that agony associated with thawing out, and my fingers are now typing comfortably. I know I'm going to be tired at work tomorrow. I know I've still got to deal with my (stupid) broken car. But I also know that my Lord has something far better than cars and finances going on behind this visible world, and I trust that God has things well in hand.

Lord, help me to remember Joy in the midst of bad circumstances. I know this doesn't mean I have to keep a smile on my face, I just want to keep my eyes on You.

(Mike Shantz is from Kitchener, Ontario)