I don’t see rejoicing as merely choosing joy in every situation. I don’t see rejoicing as just raising my hands and praising God. I don’t understand rejoicing to be very surfacey.
It’s deeper than that. While remembering to be joyful is important (heck, it’s even a fruit of the Spirit), sometimes I see that as only addressing what is shown to the outside world instead of focusing on heart issues. Sometimes, not always.
I thought rejoice would be a fun word. A word to exhale in after a year of incredible ups and downs. So, initially when I knew this was to be my word, I couldn’t help but smile…
…until I realized how foolish I was being! Joy and sorrow are closely connected. We cannot know great joy until we have experienced great sorrow. And, as I mentioned before, I often do not have true light in my darkness as I hide behind too-logical justifications. It didn’t take long for the truth to set in: this year is going to be hard and I must rejoice in it all. Because these changes, these patterns I have run deep in my heart, deep in my mind, and they have a tight hold on parts of my identity. Taking a year to expose those parts of my heart AND reconstruct them is going to be more risky than any heart changes I did last year.
After this realization came, I had another: I’m not even concerning myself with my circumstances, my current situation! Yea, this word is already kicking my butt.
And then, I came across this definition of rejoice and am still unsure quite what to do with it. I can assure you, there is no ‘trembling with excitement’ in most areas of my life right now. I’m not doing much ‘shouting exultingly’ right now. I’m not sure I ever have, to be honest. And, I’m not praising loudly enough to raise any eyebrows.
Clearly I have a lot of work to do this year.
Because I see rejoicing encompassing not only risk (which was my word last year) but also trust, vulnerability, faith, hope, perseverance, joy, foolish-to-the-world-ness. And while I alone may not be ready for this, I know God wants me to address this lacking I have in my heart. I hope in a year, I look back on this post and see how much I’ve learned, changed, grown, and reconstructed my view.
How are you doing with your One Word/New Year’s Resolution?
Proems on Not Yet 
That’s where I’ve found the greatest breakthrough comes from – rejoicing in the midst of the tough times. Love this word for you friend. Excited to see you rejoicing. And maybe – though you may not be doing it right now – I’ll hear you “shouting exultingly”, will raise my eyebrows, and join in along with you!
Rejoice! Love it. Love you, friend!
Ha! You make me laugh!!
Thanks for encouraging me and walking with me in this!
Much love!
So glad you’re choosing the hard and not going with the easy surfacey version.
and we both know how much I just love my word….ha, aka it’s SO hard. booty kicking me to the curb.
I think we’re on the same page….
Here’s to a heartbootykicking year!
get your rejoicing on friend! i actually would like to see you raise your hands in rejoicing…ha! maybe i already have on the dance floor! excited to see what definition this words takes on for you this year.
Maybe this will lessen my embarrassment gene!!
Time will tell.
You follow the Leader in running, I’ll follow Him by dancing!