DAD'S RAMBLINGS – IN JOY AND IN PAIN
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:13-14)
Whenever we meet together as the Body of Christ, there are as many different personal needs as there are people. Some come with heavy burdens – financial problems, health issues, family conflicts, and a host of other things that weigh on their hearts. On the other hand, there are those for whom things are going well. Their hearts are light and they are rejoicing.
As we meet together we need understand that not everyone is in the same spiritual space, and we need to be sensitive to each person's need. This works both ways. The person who is suffering needs to be aware that not everyone is suffering like he or she is, and the person who is rejoicing needs to be sensitive to the person who is hurting.
God knows our individual needs. But Scripture tells us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). This is the Body of Christ in action.
It is easy for the person for whom life is going well to express his joy. It is not so easy for the person who is suffering to share his pain with others. Often, people silently bear their burdens alone but put on a happy face. But how is the rest of the Body to know those pains unless we are tell someone? James tells us that if we are sick, we should call for the elders to pray for us. That means that we have to be honest about what we are enduring so other people can pray for us. We are to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 5:2). But our brothers and sisters in Christ cannot help carry those needs unless we tell them.
We don't have to tell everyone about our struggles in order to get sympathy, but it is a part of community that we share things together. Whatever our personal situation is – whether joy or pain – let us be sensitive to other people and rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Love, Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment