Getting Ahead: Joy In Rejoicing

0

Understanding is a wonderful thing but there are times when I look around me and do not understand why certain things happen.

From my perspective they just don’t look like the right thing, and if I had control of the issue, I would see to it that it turned out differently. Sometimes the thing looks so upside down that I have trouble getting it off my mind and I even allow it to affect my attitude.

We have been involved in some of the Gaither Video Series tapings, and while we were doing one, Bill Gaither made a statement that incorporated a deep truth. We were talking about music awards and he said; “No one likes awards until they win one.”

He was right! I can remember looking at award winners over the years and wondering to myself how they had won. I have found myself looking at the national music charts and thinking that our song was better than the ones ahead of it.

How about you? Have you ever had a co-worker get a raise or promotion that you feel you deserved? Have you had a friend or family member get a new car or a new home and you had to force a smile when they told you about it? It has been said that the true measure of one’s character is the ability to rejoice when your peers are elevated above you.

Are these feeling we have character flaws, personality traits, or something much deeper? Is it possible to truly rejoice when our peers are elevated above us and feel the joy they are experiencing, even though their good fortune is not ours?

These and other life questions will be addressed Sunday morning as “The Gathering Place Family” meets in the Washington High School Gymnasium at 10 a.m. for our Pre-Service Connection where we enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Our Worship Service and Children’s Church then begins at 10:30. Come at 7 p.m. and be part of our Wednesday night Bible Study and Children’s Ministry on the third floor above Trends at 120 West Court Street.

http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2015/12/pfeifer-mug-B-W-1-4.pdf

By John G. Pfeifer

Religion Columnist

No posts to display