Rejoice Always

 

Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash

Like many of you probably have, I've been having my ups and my downs. Some days I feel I've got it, some days I feel like a mess. It's not easy to rejoice "always." How would that even look? How would we even go about doing it?

I find it interesting that the verse is written right before Paul goes on to speak about prayer, anxiety, our thought life, peace, provision and contentment. Perhaps rejoicing always looks less boisterous and flamboyant than it might seem at first. Perhaps rejoicing always has more to do with gratefulness, unity and diligence, than loud noises, parties and loud laughter - though these are great. Perhaps rejoicing always is more intimately related to remaining steadfast in our faith, with our quiet confidence in God, than with outward expressions of celebration - though these can certainly come out of the overflow of what's within. Perhaps rejoicing always is possible after all.

Perhaps all we need to do it let go: let go of preconceived notions of how it should look like; let go of complaints; let go of worries; let go of toxic thoughts; let go of materialism. Its easier said than done. But perhaps that's exactly it. Rejoicing always is not a quick fix. It takes time and it takes work but boy is it worth it. Who wouldn't want to live like this? Jesus made a way. Jesus IS the Way. The only source of love, peace, and yes, joy.