Place: the car
Poison: Pepsi max
Favourite things: my connect group
One of my favourite chapters from scripture of all time Philippians 4, so I thought I would unpack it a bit over the next few days.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9 NIV)
The first part of this scripture says rejoice!
Rejoice you’ve got to be kidding!
How do I rejoice, when my heart is shivering in fear?
How do I rejoice when my week is falling apart?
How do I rejoice when I am constantly confronted with confusion?
Yet the bible says rejoice.
Thanksgiving is one of the most amazing ways that God humbles us and draws us into communion with him.
Rejoicing when we don’t feel like it, rejoicing when times are tough, rejoice.
I think so many people believe God is a total killjoy! That he is a headmaster with a big stick, waiting to smack us all for our (shhhh sins).
The God I have come to know and love, is one who creates weird and wonderful creatures across the earth, most of which are humans. He delights in detail, he marvels in the mysterious, he hides in the expanse. God loves joy.
Just like I will do anything to get my little mans attention, I make funny voices, I follow his eyes, I call his name, I sing, I dance, all just to get a giggle. I’d sell anything for one of his smiles.
God is the same with us. Sometimes rejoicing just means a smile. A smile, a joke can change the whole tone of the intensity of a moment.
Fear finds it hard to thrive in the midst of stupidity. When we are crazy, laughing, crying, singing, dancing rejoicing, fear seems to take a back seat.
Sometimes we are just too serious and we need to take time to celebrate and rejoice.
Laugh a little, smile at the irony of your thoughts and take time to lighten the load.
Rejoice and again I say rejoice!
A
