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Joy Is a Team Sport
I played basketball in high school. During my senior year, we made it to the state playoffs. We had cruised through the early rounds and needed just one more win to make it to the finals. It came down to the final seconds but we won. We were on our way to Macon for the championship. What is the first thing you want to do when you have some really great news? Tell someone, right? Well, my parents happened to be out of the country this particular weekend. And, this was back in the dark ages (1981) before PC’s, email, and cell phones. So I had to wait several days to fill them on the good news. I, of course, celebrated with the team and friends. But there is something about rejoicing with those closest to you. There are several parables where Jesus relates that someone is rejoicing over the outcome of a situation. Each time that person seeks out others to rejoice with them. Joy demands fellowship. I read that somewhere. As much as we may try to avoid it at times, community is really appealing when things are worth celebrating. But we really need it during the rough periods in our life. We were made to be social creatures. We need one another. Just as joy demands fellowship, we should all do the same.
Very cool. It’s too easy to just go to your friends with prayer requests when you’re hurting. We should concentrate on sharing the praises too.So glad that I have an extended family here to do that with.
Like being the only one on the couch watching the Colts win another close one… it’s just not as good when you’re alone. Joy kept to ourselves is not only short-lived, it is unable to breath sustainable life back into us. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and His kind of joy is always done in community. How many people within our community are joyless simply because they are connection-less?
Thanks Ben.
Great, Ben.
Reminded me of Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
We’ve heard that ‘misery loves company’, but forget that joy does, too! I like what you said, too, that joy DEMANDS fellowship.
Try to have a party by yourself. Pretty miserable. I love a good party! Joy shared.