“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice” Philippians 4:4
Always? Is that possible?
Seasons change without pause, some happy and others difficult. When God's hand is recognized, working behind the scenes and calming the storms of our lives as we fondly look back, we rejoice.
If He sometimes seems silent when fresh, unexpected challenges arise, our history with Him is sufficient cause to rejoice. God is unchanging and if He helped once, He will again.
We're now well into the year and the buzz of planning and setting goals is past. If you made resolutions, you might be in that annoying stage when the struggle to stick with them is beginning!
Instead of setting specific, measurable goals as recommended by goal setting experts, I incubate broad goals. I prefer to seek God for direction, becoming increasingly comfortable with not needing details fleshed out right away. I trust He will reveal them to me in His time.
"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30
Some may think it odd that I expect to hear from God. To me, making plans without hearing is dangerous. He knows the end from the beginning, so it's perfectly logical to seek His counsel for the future.
It no longer bothers me if others consider it strange that I claim to hear Him. Jesus promises clarity for those of us who are His. As Christian visual artists eager for excellence in our creative lives, drawing closer to Him in faith, to recognize and follow His voice, is imperative.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me... "John 10:27
When I expect to hear, I do.
It's never an audible voice, but an impression within me, distinct from my own thoughts and predispositions. Sometimes it's encouragement, at other times correction or instruction.
There's great joy in the outcomes of obeying His nudges and promptings, because they manifest blessings beyond my wildest dreams, confirming that I did, indeed, hear Him! Recollecting and cherishing those wins helps when life becomes tough and rejoicing seems distant!
R..E..J..O..I..C..E.....seven letters—the number of completeness and perfection—letters that hold much promise, if obeyed. This word was once my theme for an entire year, as I explored it in art and bible study!
No one enjoys an entirely trouble-free life with obvious reasons for continual rejoicing. Yet the command to rejoice is constant, independent of circumstances. Rejoicing—or being joyful again and again—when there seems to be no apparent reason to do so is an act of trust in the faithfulness of God.
Trouble screams at us at every turn; naysayers, economists, morality watchdogs and other doom and gloom prognosticators predict a disturbing future. There's no sense denying it—it's real.
Yet that reality holds no power over us as Christians. We have access to Jesus, in whom dwells the power to overcome. I rejoice, because in Him I am not promised escape from troubles, but safe passage through their darkness to victory!
”…. but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. “ John 16:33
So rejoice!
He overcame, so that we can overcome. His power helps us emerge from our trials demonstrably stronger, regardless of their severity. The secret of sure victory is hidden in that little word “in”. Victory is won only “in Him."
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusts in thee. Isaiah 26:3
There's a sweet simplicity in taking God at His word, believing His many promises, even if they often sound too good to be true. Trusting in their fidelity brings about transformation, marking our ordinary lives with His supernatural presence.
The outcome of faith is not ordinary. We experience too many coincidences and events, which cannot be written off as probable! Hebrews 11, the "hall of faith" powerfully narrates the legacy of those, whose ferocious grip on God's promises, brought about amazing outcomes that changed the world!
Those heroes of faith inspire us to treasure God's Word, making studying and living it our top priority. In Him, the best is always yet ahead—yet to come! And that's more than enough reason to rejoice.
"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy,
because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
with favor You will surround him as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12
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