“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NIV)
When and how do we rejoice? The when answer is easier than the how. We rejoice over a promotion at work, an IRS refund, an accepted marriage proposal, a clean bill of health from the doctor. Now for the harder part of the question; how do we rejoice?
Perhaps you might give a celebratory jump, immediately call your family, do a happy dance or maybe your eyes leak tears of joy. These are some of most common responses. I have done them all. I’ve got the display of happiness part down pat but I tend to forget the source of the celebration. It certainly was not me and in my rejoicing efforts, I don’t always give credit where credit is due.
How about you? Do you have that all worked out in your life? Being grateful is very different than rejoicing. We tend to thank all the humans around us with hugs and handshakes and yet God is the only one who can truly promote us. Why is it so easy to forget about Him? Yes, we are thankful—when we finally settle down—but He should really be the first One to whom we turn. He would like nothing better than to dance with us, laugh and enjoy the moment.
Rejoicing and gratitude are both inside jobs but acknowledging the source leads first to gratitude which then turns into rejoicing. Both give us a warm, fuzzy feeling however, rejoicing requires more physical action on our part. It is a natural follow up of gratitude.
I am going to tattle on myself with an example. Last year 2020, when I planted the three Easter lilies that were left from church that no one wanted, I thought they were so pretty but I was not sure that they would survive where I planted them because there wasn’t much sunlight. I faithfully took care of them with water and plant food but didn’t have much hope. This year in April, after most all the snow had melted, I went out and discovered that the three lilies had grown to twelve in number. I did not even realize they were annuals! I immediately did a happy dance and was so excited with thoughts of all the care I’d given them. I had the perfect opportunity to give all the honor to God but I stole it. How easily we forget!
The next time your feel like rejoicing, remember the source with a grateful heart. He will happily join your party.
Father God, You are the source of all blessings. Help us to honor You and make You first. Help us to invite You into our celebrations. Teach us how to dance with joy! AMEN.