I'll Rejoice Now

Lately, i've had the amazing pleasure of seeing God's power in the lives of people, including myself. He's been pressing on my heart just how much He can do in us. i've been blessed to be a part of a number of events He's allowed me to participate in. i was given the chance to go up to an fca camp and watch as close friends came closer to Him, and i got to watch His children gather together to worship Him in a real and radical way. i was able to host a fusion with my fca huddle group, and i watched Him speak through one of my brothers (who's biggest fear was public speaking) get up on stage and share his testimony with hundreds of students (he didn't even hesitate for a moment as he was on stage. i had friends tell me afterward he was their favorite part of the entire event). i have seen Him increase and more than double the number of all of our ministries on my school campus in just one semester. He's blessed my father's church ministry in ways i can't even describe. i've been blessed to see a "fifth quarter" fca event me and my friends planned succeed in ways we didn't even imagine it would when it shouldn't have even happened. our principal attended and was so impacted by the event that he approached me and asked if we would make it an annual event. i got the chance to serve at an fca banquet and watched as the body of Christ came together to support each other through tithing, prayer, service and encouragement. i was able to go up to young life camp recently and listen as guys poured out their hearts and came closer to the Lord. i was even blessed there to see old friends of mine growing closer to each other and to their Savior. all this to say, He's AMAZING!

but i've also been going through a rough time in my life. so often, i feel alone, or struggle to see His purpose through seeming tragedies that occur. lately especially, i haven't felt very well at all. i've been exhausted by all of life's troubles, and distracted by my own material temptations. all this to say, i haven't been on a "spiritual high" lately. but it's a great thing, i've discovered, because it has stretched me and forced me to determine just how important He is to me. when you don't "feel like doing it" i've discovered, is precisely when it's needed most. when i don't feel like praying, it probably means i desperately need to call out to my Father. when i don't feel like helping that person out, it's probably when they need to see His Spirit in another the most.

when we don't feel like living for Him, it's because we've taken our eyes off of His prize, His love, and His cross. He's always there, all you have to do is ask. He may answer you in a way you never expect; elijah heard Him speak not in a storm, but a whisper; joseph saw His power in visions that he saw without his consent; the jews thought the Messiah would come to destroy the gentile nations, and instead, He came to save them. but He will always answer. and that is the reason for JOY!

joy isn't happiness. "feeling happy" by definition is when a person is experiencing an emotional or euphoric high because something material is going well in their lives. in other words, how happy you are depends completely on your surroundings; if you're just a "happy" person, your mood and actions are completely defined by other people and events. that means that happiness can't last. for example, there is no way to be happy if someone you love passes away. if someone began to laugh when they heard that someone close to them had died, we would consider them demented, deranged, or insane. suffering cannot bring about an emotional high. happiness is like chaff in the wind: there one second, gone the next. if you place your energy into what makes you "happy" you're placing your entire well-being for the rest of your life on how others or your surroundings treat you. that is not how we are meant to live.

what God gives us is so much more! He gives us joy! according to the Bible, joy isn't just "feeling good" for a day or two until something bad happens. it's the ability God's love gives us to see His goodness through all situations. we are only here for a moment. the Bible compares our lifespans to wisps of smoke in the air. the night can only last for a moment before His light shines through. eternity is ours through His sacrifice on the cross! so what can keep us down?

"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory" -romans 5:2

there's a song called "flowers for molly" by jason harwell (i'd post a link to the song, but there isn't one. look him up on itunes though, he's AMAZING!). the song talks about a lot of thoughts that were going on through his life at the time he wrote it. one meaning behind the song is one of thanks for his daughter (molly). the second is that he depicts a reflection of the Lord's love for His children. the third, and the most gripping for me personally, is that He speaks about how he'll rejoice in the Lord regardless of the situation. during a part of the song, he repeats the words

"i'll rejoice now, i'll rejoice now, i'll rejoice now!"

as Christians, that's what we should live like! we aren't meant to live downtrodden, depressed, or stressed! we're meant to live! to rejoice for and through any gift, friendship, or happiness, and also, through and for every hardship, rejection, and sorrow. as children of God we have the freedom to say "i'll rejoice now". that's God's free gift to you; nothing can steal it away.

so when you feel beat down, depressed, or worn out, call out to Him. when the apostles were beaten down by the pharisees, the Bible says they rejoiced because they were worthy enough to be tortured for the Name. if His joy has the power to keep men rejoicing after they've been beaten and threatened with death, nothing can kill it. He's always going to see you through the storm.

"Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything." - 2 corinthians 6:10

" But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. " - phillipians 2:17

"But may all who search for You be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” - psalm 70:4

" You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. " - pslam 92:4

He loves you so much! there is nothing that can compare to it, nothing that can conquer it, and nothing that can change it! so rejoice now!