This past Monday, like every Monday, the MEW Worship team did a great job, Mike had a teaching that everyone could relate to (check out the MP3 to the left), and the small groups met. Not being of the feminine persuasion, I of course went to the men's group. We had half an hour to share what's on our hearts. It was mostly a jovial time, loaded with laughs and a bunch of kidding around. But someone shared something that snapped us back to a sobering attitude.
You know, the joy of the Lord is great, and it should be in us no matter what. I'm not saying that we're happy all the time, but we should have this peace in us that says 'God is on the Throne' and nothing that is in my life has slipped by Him. Everyone that we know has been placed there by our Heavenly Father, and the things that happen to them should affect us. The Word says to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. But remember, we do not mourn as those without hope.
It's because we have hope that there should be joy in our hearts, regardless of what is happening around us. Those that are going through rough times give the rest of us opportunity to be used by the Spirit...to be the flesh and blood of His love towards others. Let's always try to be sensitive to those around us.
