Philippians 3:1; Rejoice

“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.”

According to the on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary:  “Rejoice – to feel or show that you are very happy about something”.  Paul says rejoice in the Lord!  Do you feel a sense of happiness and joy that you have a personal relationship with Jesus?  Would those around you say that you are filled with joy about Jesus?  I’m afraid more often than not, my life has nothing to do with “rejoice”.

While we are defining things, how about this one: Perspective – the ability to see the true relationship between different objects, ideas, or circumstances.  Perspective is one of the most underrated component of life.  Our perspective determines our attitudes which determines our actions.

Perspective is what allows you to be upset that your computer crashed, but to get over it because you know you are blessed simply to have a computer. It allows you to persevere through years of school because you will have better opportunities in the future.  And perspective is what allowed Paul to write a letter encouraging the church to rejoice while he was rotting away in prison. 

Life can be incredibly hard.  People get sick and people die.  Relationships fall apart and dreams don’t come true.  People lose jobs, lose their way, and lose hope.  You can fill in the blanks – you know that life is hard. 

We shouldn’t be surprised, Jesus promised that in this life we will have trouble.  But in the next breath he stated that he has overcome the world (John 16:33).  And keeping that perspective in mind is the key to rejoicing.

It is that perspective that allows you to say, “You know what, my life is a train wreck right now.  But God is on His throne, my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, Jesus is interceding for me at this moment, God has a good plan for my life…today still stinks, but everything is going to be okay.” 

It sounds like a platitude, but that is how you rejoice in the midst of trials.  When we keep Jesus at the forefront of our minds and remind ourselves of the unfathomable blessings of life with Him, we will rejoice in our heart and that inward expression of joy will manifest outwardly through our actions and attitudes.  Rejoice because Jesus is yours for eternity…the rest is just a moment.

“Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." – Nehemiah 8:10