What exuberance! Children are so uninhibited. I love to watch them play with abandon. As I read this scripture this morning the freedom of a child at play was the picture that came to my mind. This is how I want to worship God--in total freedom, uninhibited by my world around me, just loving God.
When we realize that Paul wrote these lines while sitting in prison it takes on a whole new meaning. We can be full of life and loving God and excited about serving Him when things are going well, but it's not so easy when things have taken a downward turn. Yet Paul wrote this in dire circumstances. He wasn't living in the lap of luxury. He wasn't able to go where he pleased, when he pleased. He wasn't free to worship God in the way he would choose. Yet still he says not only to rejoice in the Lord always, but he emphasizes it by repeating it, Rejoice!
Can we truly rejoice in hardship? Can we be exuberant in our praise when things are spiraling out of our control? Absolutely. I was sharing recently with a group how during a very dark time in my life I felt I was a bundle of controversy. On one hand I felt very alone, yet I knew I was not alone. I knew fear, yet felt such peace. My circumstances looked hopeless, yet I was able to trust in the God who (according to Romans 4:17) calls into being things that were not and gives life to the dead. Don't get me wrong folks, I'm not saying we should just put on a happy face no matter what is going wrong in our lives. What I am saying is that no matter what is going on we have a Savior who feels with us, who rescues us, who has walked down our path and can truly understand. We have Jesus through whom we overcome EVERYTHING by the sacrifice of His very life and the word of our testimony (Rev. 12:11).
I don't know what this day will hold--whether it will be full of laughter or tears. But I am choosing at the beginning of my day that I will rejoice! I will walk the walk of faith that says, "My God has overcome." I will be a contagious christian today. I will cause joy to come to my God because I trust in Him.
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