Saturday, February 15, 2014

Meet Them Where God Meets Them.

Scripture: Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."

Observation: This verse just stuck out to me because my tendency is (ridiculously) almost the opposite. I tend to want to "chear up" the sad and tell the rejoicers (or at the very least, think) that we should control our emotions to a reasonable level. I'm actually pretty ashamed to even write that, but it is true nonetheless.

"Luckily," as always, the Holy Spirit brings the word of God to the doorstep of my heart saying, "This is for you!"

So, what do I see here?

This verse is about empathizing with others. It's about seeing life through the eyes of another. It's about being genuinely impacted and moved for the life of another. As is Paul's theme here and in connection with what I wrote yesterday, this is love without hypocrisy. I think this needs more explaining.

It starts with God (doesn't everything for a Christian?). I wrote last Saturday a little about the cyclical relationship between God's revelation of Himself to me and my praise to Him. In a similar vein, God seeks to meet us where we are because that always brings Him more glory - in fact it's the way that works the best to that end. If I am truly struggling with life, God comes to me with comfort and the reminder that Jesus experienced all of the same sadness (Hebrews 4:13-16). My ultimate response then is love and gratitude and praise to Him.

Likewise, in my times of rejoicing God's Spirit prompts in me remembrance that all good things comes from God (James 1:17). Because God's love is perfect, He loves to see joy in others. He rejoices at the joy of others. And my correct response is to praise Him and thank Him for whatever the blessing is at that moment.

In both situations He initiates the connection, I respond, and He returns even greater levels of faith or revelation or strength or any number of good things.

Application: This brings me back to me. Two applications:
1. I am to mimic my Father in heaven. If He is doing it, I should, too. I think this is the point of the old WWJD clothing and jewelry. After all, this is what Jesus prayed (or  told us to pray), "Heavenly Father, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." If we all did to others as God does to them it would be heaven on earth!

2. When I discover a great restaurant, I want to tell others about it because that increases business for them. Greater fame for the place = more people enjoying it = more fame = more enjoyment and so on. The response from the person I told is not, "Wow! Dale is awesome!" It is, "Thank you for telling me about this! It is awesome!"

God is that awesome thing. My rejoicing or mourning with others will be the fuel that motivates them to experience the blessing-praise cycle that I wrote about above.

Prayer: First, I'll praise You for meeting me again this morning. Second, please make me more like Jesus and less like me. :-) I want to grow beyond myself to be a real help to others. I should find joy in the joy of others. I should be in awe at the amazing masterpiece that you made them to be and I should have concern for their concerns. Help me to identify with whatever people are experiencing so we can both draw nearer to You together. I love You. Amen.

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