I know that many Christians have trouble with Paul's instructions to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4). Honestly, how can we be expected to "rejoice" when there are so many bad things happening in our lives and in our world? Paul can't have been serious could he? Think about this, the word "rejoice" could be translated just as easily as "to be full of cheer," or simply, "be happy," and in our world, it seems this is a much desired, but little accomplished state of life.
Recently I asked in a sermon, "When is the last time you have
been happy as a Christian?" "When is the last time you trusted God
that much, to enjoy just being one of his children?"
The problem as I perceive it for many of us, is that we are more
in interested in solving problems (real or perceived) than in trusting God to
handle them for us. We worry that there are or will be things that we cannot
handle or straighten out on our own. We worry about our families, our jobs, our
health, and our churches. I don't imagine you are much different that me and in
my mind I ask questions like these: "What if we don't get it right?"
"What if we make the wrong decisions?" "What if I'm not able to
defend "the truth" of God's Word?" "What if I don't know
the right words to say?" "What if I am not in the right place in this
world?" "Could there be another job I could be or should be in?"
"Am I the right example of a husband, father, brother, friend?"
You see, most of those questions are about "me", with
little reliance upon God. And, when we worry about all of those things, try to
answer all of the questions ourselves, we really won't feel very happy or being
"rejoicing" Christians.
It comes down to the question of how much we really trust God or
how much we really believe he cares for us. I believe that God is able to put
us where we need to be, when we need to be there and will guide us to deal with
the questions of life, if we trust him enough. Until we learn to do that we
can't truly be happy or "rejoice in the Lord".
If you can, open your bible and read the whole passage of Matthew
6:25-34. In this passage Jesus talks to his followers about worry and the
care of God for each of us. In verses 33-34 he sums up what he is trying to say
with these words, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Someone paraphrased these verses like this, "Learn to
trust in God. Don't worry about things you can do anything
about. When you do that, you'll find all your everyday human concerns will be
met. Give
your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up
about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever
hard things come up when the time comes".
There was a silly little song which was popular a few years ago
that simply repeated the words, "Don't worry, be happy" to a catchy
little tune. Again I ask the questions, "When is the last time you have
been happy as a Christian?" "When is the last time you trusted God
that much, to enjoy just being one of his children?"
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