Rejoice-Lily

So, just a warning, this post is going to be really long and has nothing to do with bible study, but it is about God, so it's all good. It's just something I've been thinking and praying and studying recently.

A few nights ago, Brina and I were having a late-night conversation on how horrible society and life is. Brina made a comment on how life is degrading in pretty much every aspect and I replied "No, it's already dead." That seems like a very depressing and pessimistic thought, however it is actually not that bad if you understand three things.

The first is simple: when I say life is dead I mean that it is spiritually fallen and destroyed.

The second is that Jesus died. Physically died. During the entire crucifixion process He could have died like four times. The Romans were very focused on killing people, they were pro murderers. There was absolutely no way that He was somehow still alive physically after He was buried in the tomb.

Third is that it is easier to raise someone spiritually than it is to raise someone physically. I think everyone can agree on that. You can revive someone's spirit by smiling at them, but bringing someone back to life requires much more.

So if Jesus died and then rose again, and I mean He really was dead and then started walking and talking to His friends, then what's so bad about us being spiritually dead? If Jesus can lift us up, brush us off, and teach us how to live, then we don't have to worry about our death any more. We don't have to care. We don't have to act like zombies because the one who defeated physical death can easily raise us spiritually!

And now I get to my point about rejoicing.

Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

The word rejoice is defined as "to feel or express joy or triumph." I was playing an arrangement of Good Christian Men, Rejoice and something in the music reminded me of a victory. I thought about the word rejoice and kind of realized that you don't always have to be exultant and chipper, but really, just realize that God has already won this battle and rejoice in that.

I struggle with this pretty often when something I read in a book confuses me or misleads me. Then something happens in my life that confuses me even more and I feel far away from God and terrible and everything. At that point, I forget that I've already won the war, even though in this particular battle it looks like I'm losing.

So, to close up, rejoice in what Jesus did for you. You don't have to lose anymore.

"Smells like I'm winning."

Thanks for reading! Well, if you did read this really long post. I'd love to hear anything you have to say about the matter or a song that applies or something (and pretty much every single worship song does).

Lily