More About Rejoicing

I have a bit more to say on this topic of entering into the joy and excitement of others who have good news. In my previous post, I made the comparison to the family unit.

In a family, a wife is not irritated if her husband comes home exalting over an increase in pay. Nor will a brother be threatened if his sister becomes Miss America. They rejoice together because the success of one is the success of the other. They go up and down together.

So I believe that in leadership roles we must endeavor to draw attention to the joys, thrills, excitements, and successes of those we are caring about, so all will be encouraged to celebrate with them. As true friends and loving care partners, we should strive to be interested, excited, and happy for the one who wants to share something wonderful they have experienced.

We are all of a body and we are all worse off when one is sick, injured or unemployed; likewise, we are all better off when one of us is lifted up by a victory or mountain-top experience!

Time and structure in every meeting ought to allow for letting each other know the joys and concerns those present are carrying. How abnormal it is to meet for an hour or two as a church council, choir, or Bible study class, carrying on the business of the kingdom, and then go home unaware that one person is bursting with excitement over his son's acceptance at the Air Force Academy, another is happy about a promotion at work, and yet another just found out that her first grandbaby is on the way.

A caring community doesn't 'just happen'; planning, structuring, and enabling must be consciously employed to both 'bear each other's burdens' and 'share each other's joys'.

I challenge you, then, with this . . . make a conscious effort to make yourself aware of the exciting things in other people's lives. Positive things are happening all around you . . . discover them, and help those people by rejoicing with them.