Songs of Rejoicing

So, for the past little while, I've been struggling...Not with anything huge or life-shattering, just struggling with some issues in my calling. Like all of us, my heart has dreams and desires that are only spoken in whispers to the heart of God. In my struggle I'm waiting. I'm waiting for His direction, His plan, His leading. And, I haven't seen it. And it's painful. 

In the midst of this struggle, I began reading about King David's desire to build God a Temple. David's desire was centered in his passion for God's glory. He wanted nothing more than to do the work of The Lord. He wanted to draw others to God through providing a place of true worship. But God said "No." Ouch...And, wow...And why? God had a plan for someone else to do the Temple Building. David's job was to prepare his son, Solomon, to equip him and to raise him up, so that he would build a glorious Temple for God. As painful as God's answer to David's godly desire may have been, he did exactly as God instructed him. And Solomon's Temple was an amazing work for the glory of the Lord. 

As I read about the Temple, I thought about God's choices. He chooses to use each and every one of us for different parts of His plan, but the purpose for each of us is the same...It's all for His glory. This reality doesn't change if we experience disappointment in the way He chooses to use us for that purpose. 

Romans 12:15 teaches us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." I thought I understood this verse. I totally get crying with people who are crying. I have experienced that many times in life and in ministry. It's the rejoicing part I only thought I understood. I looked at it like, yes, I can rejoice right alongside you as we are part of a joyful experience together. I also understood it as being truly happy for someone else's success, even if I missed out on the same opportunity. 

The deeper meaning was revealed when I took a look at the original language for the word "with" as it is used here. In the Greek, it means "amid," or in the middle of someone else's rejoicing. 

This is the lesson God is teaching me. I am to rejoice with (in the middle of) all those who are rejoicing around me...I am to minister to them by rejoicing with them. For instance, in the midst of my struggle over God's calling, I am in the middle of many people who are rejoicing over His calling in their lives. In the past few weeks, God has opened ministry doors and opportunities for precious friends living in different cities and different states. He is doing a work in and through these men and women that they never dreamed He would do. As a matter of fact, their dreams pale in comparison to all He is doing. 

As I've learned of each one, the enemy has been lurking to lead me down a well-worn path of comparison, with a little detour of condemnation, but God has done a precious work in my heart. He has given me the ministry of rejoicing with those who rejoice. I think the sweetest song He is teaching my soul is a song of rejoicing for others when I am in a time of struggling. He hasn't changed my circumstances; but He is making a way for me to bring Him glory in them. Oh, it is a sweet, sweet song. 

God truly does give "songs in the night". I'm learning that sometimes the songs He gives are to the tune of someone else's heartbeat. As I rejoice with my precious friends, my prayer is for our God to always be glorified. 

If you are struggling today, look toward (not away from) those who are rejoicing in blessings given by the hand of God. Let Him teach you how to sing a song of rejoicing, even if the tune isn't your own heartbeat, but the heartbeat of someone else. I promise it will be sweet and more catchy than you could imagine.