Rejoice always; (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NAS95)
I love this verse. Rejoice always! It walked into my memory somewhere in the first decade of this century and has stayed with me. I have much over which to rejoice and celebrate. Most of all I celebrate the gift our Triune Lord is to me. Everything flows from that, my life, my wife, my family, missions, Poland, Germany, GEM, churches (supporting and planted). All, at this point, I perceive as gift from God.
I didn’t necessarily start out that way as I entered the opportunities and challenges that those items I just listed presented. If I am honest, I have to say that fear and prayer went together because I had no idea of what I was doing with any of them. My head had a lot of knowledge, but my life did not have a lot of experience. Especially of full reliance on God. Yet God had me in His hands and grace. He knew my fear and prayer needed to go together, so He gently went to work, silently, behind the scenes and, if you will, behind my back (I was so unaware).
To say support raising terrified me would be an understatement. But God got me to Poland. I loved my girlfriend who became my wife, but courage to ask for her hand in marraige had to overcome fear of rejection. But God got me through it, and I’ve had a blast. Raising two kids on the mission field, born in the 90s just after Eastern Europe opened, scared me and anxiety evoked prayer. God amazingly permeated our family with grace and His presence.
I could recite a list of things as we initiated various vision-casting work, or church planting efforts, or even laying the foundation for what the spiritual life team is today. First fear, then prayer, and God soothing, permeating, suprising and filling the process with joy! Rejoice always!
Fear evoked prayer and the solicitation of God’s presence or at least that I would become present to Him (He happened to be there already). In each case of passing through the challenge or opportunity, rejoicing and celebration resulted, erupting from my heart, sometimes called gratitude, but all full of joy.
What I like celebrating most focuses on what God does. He surprises me where fear stifles me. Doing things with Him evoked a joy for which there is no other word than rejoice! Rejoicing celebrates God!
For Reflection:
“I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul,” (Psalm 31:7 NAS95)
- How has God’s activity in your life caused joy to erupt from your soul? How did you celebrate?
- What helps you cultivate a posture receptive to joy and celebration with God?
