I attended service at Mosaic Church in Hollywood on Sunday.
The pastor, Erwin McManus, was preaching on the idea of being ‘All In’ for God. His premise was that God is already all in for you and requires nothing less than we be all in for Him. It is not a choice or an option as a Christain, it is what we are called to.
McManus referenced Acts during his talk, and there was one verse which stuck out to me. It is was given in the context of the Temple leaders having imprisioned, released, and then flogged the apostles for preaching in the name of Jesus. The verse which hit home is Acts 5:41:
“The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.”
I have a habit of writing questions to myself in my journals. Things which I know I need to ponder and consider later on. That night I wrote to myself, “When was the last time I rejoiced in suffering for Jesus?”
When was the last time I rejoiced that God counted me worthy to move to another country? When was the last time I rejoiced that He knew financial stress wouldn’t break me? When was the last time I rejoiced that by declaring myself a Christain I am often thought of as narrow minded, foolish, and uninteligent? When was the last time I was glad for the rebuff I have received for living a life grounded in the Bible?
As I talked some of these thoughts over with my dad the next morning, it was clear rejoicing was not the term I would use when thinking on these things. However, I am going to make it my goal. Not the fake “everything is okay though the world is falling to pieces” type of rejoicing. Not a plastic smile type. I want the real type. The type of joy which settles in your bones and bubbles out slowly. I want the type of rejoicing which is quiet, undeclared and always present. I want the type which makes me assured God knows what is happening sucks and it hurts me. I also want Him to know I think He is worth it.
Continuing the adventure,
Jess
Jess Boctor 