The Provision of God in Divine Math

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with these who weep.  Romans 12:15

This past week I have had occasion to be on the receiving end of both aspects of this verse.

As we celebrated Christa’s high school graduation, we were surrounded by family and friends who gathered (either at her ceremony or her open house) to rejoice with us.

Earlier this week, I shared and prayed with a friend as I confided a private burden that weighed heavy on my heart.

These realities have given me pause to consider an interesting dynamic in our human experience, and it has spotlighted another aspect of God’s goodness.

Namely, how He had designed others to come around and join with us as we 'do life'.

Whether it is the delight of rejoicing or the sorrow of suffering, doing it with others multiplies the blessing or diminishes the heartache.

In times of joy, our pleasure is increased!

In times of sadness, our burdens are shared!

May I offer 3 observations by way of encouragement?

1.  Being there really does matter.

I am often tempted in the busy-ness of life’s hectic demands, and in the weakness of my tiredness and desire for ease, to bypass times in others' lives to attend celebrations of joy or events that mark sadness. When there are group gatherings of this sort, it is easy to think my presence doesn’t really matter…there are lots of others there, and I’m just one person.

Plus, I easily justify my busy-ness, tiredness, or tight schedule, etc.

Sometimes, it is just my self-orientation that just doesn’t really want to.

I was reminded this week how much someone’s presence means.
Just being there speaks a loud message: “I care”

2.  Choosing to “be there” requires self-sacrificial thinking as an orientation of life.

It is rarely easy or convenient, nor is it always one’s preference to attend the celebrations or mournings of another’s life.  But love does not think of self. Love does not accept the myriad of reasons our own minds give to side-step these opportunities to come alongside another.  Love decides early on to make ‘being there’ an orientation of life.

The best example of both of the above points is Christ himself.

In so many ways, He modeled ‘being there’ in the ultimate sense, the most self-sacrificing sense, and we will reap the result for eternity.

3. The local church is designed with just such an orientation in mind.  
The New Testament is full of examples, exhortations, and descriptions of how the people of God were given for the very purpose of this group dynamic.  We step away from robust participation and involvement to our own peril, and this was never God’s intent. Just read the New Testament!

Though this is not the sum total of all my relationships, I'm thankful for the covenant relationship of these individuals who surround me in unified purpose and remind me of life's ultimate focus. 

Thank you to all my family and friends who shared in our joy this week. Some came alongside to help in tangible ways, some asked and expressed interest along the way, and many, many walked through our doors to “just be there.”

Thank you, also, to the one who listened without judgement, encouraged me in God’s truth, and prayed with me as together we laid my private burden in God’s wise & loving hands.

In all of this, I thank the Giver and Designer of such a gift, our great God!