Come, and Rejoice!

Tuesday and Thursday mornings, in lieu of a "homeroom" teachers have the opportunity to lead a devotion with their 1st period classes. Thanks to my dear friends, the Clavers, I own a ukulele, so I have been using this special time with my 1st period to sing worship songs! Today's selection was a Keith and Kristyn Getty hymn. It's called Come, People of the Risen King. To accompany the song, I also read Psalm 97.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,    and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 97: 12

On a beautiful sunny morning like today, it is so easy to rejoice in the mercy and love of God. I feel so blessed right now as I live and serve in Germany, when I know that I am supposed to be here. The process of coming here to Germany has been a long one, and I rejoice in God's faithfulness. But we also should rejoice in our sufferings and trials. So whether you are experiencing the joy of the morning, or the darkest suffering of night, know that there is rejoicing through it all.

Last night, I took a long walk through my town and up the nearby hill. At the top of the hill, I turned and saw my little town spread out below. I stood there in silence and awe for several minutes. In that stillness I knew that God was all around me. The rural community in which I live feels so quiet and empty, but God fills that emptiness. In fact, knowing Christ means that nothing is empty or meaningless anymore. And on my walk I was able to feel near to him as I surveyed the beauty of his creation.