Advent: Day 16
”Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.“
Romans 12:15 NIV
I’ll be honest with you, joy is the theme I struggle with the most to write about every year. Maybe it’s my melancholic leanings, or seeing Christians misuse scripture about joy so I’m hesitant to write about it. But nonetheless, joy is a key thing written about in scripture, and in fact it is supposed to be an evidence of the Spirit or God being at work in us.
That’s why this scripture is essential. It encourages us as the community of believers to feel with people no matter what they are feeling. If those around us are rejoicing we should celebrate with them. Throw the party, and enjoy and be thankful with them. Thank God with others for his goodness and blessing.
And if someone is mourning, mourn with them. Sit with them, and don’t try to explain away their pain. Listen, pray, and hug them. Call out to God and ask why with them.
And, what if you are rejoicing or mourning? What if you are the one feeling the emotion? Feel it. Enjoy the good, and mourn the bad. We don’t have to hide our emotions, God has made them and we can experience them all. When we accept what we are feeling, we are able to live in the moment and see how God is at work, in the mourning and in the rejoicing.
Song of the day: