Philippians 4:4-13 - by Don Neuendorf
"REJOICE in the Lord always! I will say it AGAIN: Rejoice!" Do you think Paul could have done more to emphasize this?
Ironically, Paul couldn't do ALL CAPS to make it stand out. The original manuscripts were already written in all caps - the whole thing. (Ouch, my eyes!) And they didn't do underlining, or italics, colors, or exclamation points. All that came later. But by saying "I will say it again" Paul is really bringing this out. He's saying, "THIS IS IMPORTANT!" And then...
And then... what a downer. He goes on, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."
What do these things have to do with one another? Rejoice - be gentle - the Lord is near?
Remember the OT lesson? (And we'll see it in the Gospel lesson too.) God describes heaven as a gathering together for a giant banquet. Rich meats. Aged wines. Jesus describes it as a wedding feast. Special wedding clothes. People brought in from all over.
While we wait here we may become anxious - defensive - upset about the dire predictions of the future. We see Christian people become apoplectic and apocalyptic. (I've always wanted to use those two words together.) But why worry? Let your gentleness, your tenderness, your consideration and love of others be a witness to the power and love of Christ.
"The Lord is near." Just keep saying that to yourself and see how it puts things in a different light.
"I'm afraid of where our country is going." "The Lord is near."
"I'm worried about the results of my tests." "The Lord is near."
"What will the world be like for my children?" "The Lord is near."
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again... REJOICE!