Weeping and rejoicing.
Following Jesus is not a happy thing all the time. There are times following Jesus where there’s a recognition of the state individuals, relationships and communities are in when they choose to reject God. That calls for weeping.
Even as we remember what causes separation with the Creator of the universe and remember our capability of exercising those rebellious acts, that’s a good reason for weeping. Those conditions that are ever among us and appear to be all consuming are good reason for much sorrow.
From the death of the baby in the womb to the break-up of the marriage. From the issues that separate siblings to be lifelong enemies to the neglect of the elderly from a self-absrobed younger generation. From the theft of a corner shop to the predatory consumer conglomerations who get millions hooked on entertainment as produced by people in conditions of virtual harsh slavery.
Man’s inhumanity to man and the tendency to prioritise the trivial and ineffectual over the substantial and meaningful are not reasons to look with disdain or sneer in self-righteousness. This is cause for mourning. This is cause for weeping. When legislation is made to give the impression that the wrong is right, that is cause for weeping. When those in positions of responsibility fail to exercise that with due diligence and care and rather in the self-seeking practice of only doing what it takes to hold onto positions of power, that is a reason to be weeping.
As we look in the light of God’s Word at what He sees and how He responds to these attitudes and acts of iniquity, idolatry and injustice we take a careful pause in our own situation. It’s the beauty of the love of God in Jesus that enables us to see that without Him we’re living in a cold world where for all its efforts there is no regard for God, no respect for His Word and no responsibility to His call to repentance. We recognise our ability to do that and see how we were in that darkness and are not in a position to outright condemn peopl as being without hope, as we remember we too were without hope, without mercy and without a tangible and meaningful purpose to live that satisfied all aspects of life.
This is, however, where there is reason to rejoice. We have reason for joy because tis dark situation was not allowed to fester. This gross expression of wickedness wasn’t going to continue without response. The God who made us and enabled us to make our own decisions even to our detriment, is the same God who who made a way for things to restored. That’s reason for great joy.
God saw the broken and did what was necessary to bring about restoration. At the individual level, at the relational level, at the communal level. Interaction with others, introspective relations, engagement with the environment around us. He has made the way to what is right even when we sought to turn our backs to Him and follow a path that leads to destruction. He makes whole, He restores, He cleans and He makes new. He forgives, He repairs, He establishes a route to a relationship with Him thaat is enthralling and enriching even as it’s challenging and has moments of stern rebuke. This is reason for great joy.
Where there was despair, He brings in gladness, where there was a thought of futility, He fills life with hope. Hope of what can be in the here and now as well as hope for what is yet to come. Hope that informs our engagement in the world today in preparation for the world to come. Hope that sees opportunity in the dismal and grim. Hope that believes the best even in the worst of situations. Hope that gives a song of consolation in the midnight of the soul. Hope that celebrates the riches of heaven even in the talk of lack on earth. This is reason for great joy.
New life in Jesus changes everything, even our view on how the world operates and what it’s all about. New life offers insights into the riches to be discovered as we know about Jesus. Knowledge, understanding and wisdom that could not be sourced in all the plethora of the age of information is available through faith in the Father by the Son through the Spirit. Discernment that picks up on what’s going on beneath all the flash and dazzle of what’s presented on the surface. Integrity is the portion of those who find their identity in Christ, all this in a world where duplicity through fear and shame is rife. The reassurance that whatever issue we face, whatever flaw we stumble on and whatever inadequacy we feel can be processed and resolved in the fullness of time through the relationship with God who chooses to live in you by His spirit. This is reason for great joy.
There is still hurt to face. There is still disappointment to deal with. There is still conflict to address. There are still weapons formed against you. It’s just that in Christ, those weapons – poverty, despair, depression, injustice, deceit, malice, bitterness, lust, etc – do not succeed in their effort to permanently disbar and disqualify you or destroy your inheritance.
God help us to keep our eyes stayed on you, to throw to you all our burdens and anxieties, to trust and believe you in every step of life whether it’s cause for weeping or joy.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 