Rejoice? Really?
I am not a morning person. If you know me at all or even a little, it is likely you are aware of this. So the idea of rejoicing in the new day has always been beyond my understanding and a truly annoying suggestion.
My inability to function in the morning goes back many years. It became more obvious to others as I got older. During volleyball season my sophomore year of high school it would clearly reveal itself. Attending a small high school in the early eighties, our high school football games were played Friday afternoons. Lighted football fields for schools the size of ours was unheard in the early 80s. The game time interfered with our volleyball team practices which were normally scheduled just after the school day ended.
A suggested idea that was put in place was for the volleyball team to practice before school on Fridays. We could all then attend the game with no worries of missing practice. It seemed like a good plan and for most my teammates it was. I, on the other hand, had another perspective. I came to practice, on time, dressed appropriately but clearly something wasn’t right. I was expected to actually fully open my eyes and operated my limbs to meet the typical high standards of play. Sadly, that just did not happen! Everyone soon noticed. I was from then on branded as a non-functioning non-morning person. A badge of honor I wore proudly!
It’s just my life rhythm. I start to wake in the evening when others are long since looking to end their day. I have never had issues studying or working late. All night challenges were easy for me.
Yet even so, we are reminded the each day is a gift from God and we are to rejoice in it. Psalm 118:24 tell us, “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” That worked for me by about 7:00 pm but in the morning? Rejoice? Just like having early morning productive volleyball practices, it just was not going to happen!
So I have resisted. My husband on the other hand is a morning person. Up early to meditate and read. We have been married for 5 years and often in the morning he’d recite Psalm 118:24 with a cheerful voice before I’d even finished my first cup of coffee. He suffered a many looks of distain from me over the years. I just didn’t understand how I could be expected to rejoice…in the morning.
There is an incident document in the Bible that recounts a conversation that Jesus had with a man who had come to Jesus asking for help. The story is laid out in the 9th Chapter of the book of Mark. The man had brought his son to be healed. The child had been suffering from violent convulsions since he was a little boy. Jesus’s disciples could not heal the child. So the father then approached Jesus and ask Jesus to heal him…if He can.
Jesus seemed a bit miffed at the man’s word choice and responded in verse 23 with the following, “‘What do you mean?, “If I can?”’ Jesus asked, ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’” And how did the father respond? In verse 24 we find out. He replied, “‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.’”
That was it, that’s what I needed to hear because what followed the father’s request wasn’t criticism from Jesus, or an expression of disappointment, nor did He send the man away. Instead He healed the child!
This tells me that Jesus understands we struggle and fall short. He will help us with our unbelief. What is important is that it’s acknowledged and we ask Him for help. When I realized this I began to respond differently to the morning Psalm 118:24 recitations.
I reword Psalm 118:24 and began to ask God to help me. I prayed these words on a daily basis, “This is the day which You have made; help me rejoice and be glad in it.” It was a struggle. It did not come easy. Months later I was still saying the same prayer.
One day, finally, I noticed the feeling of annoyance all but dissipated. I was finally able to recite Psalm 118:24 and find a smile on my face! My view of the coming day shifted from dread to a subtle feeling of anticipation. I was so thankful for God’s transformation of my heart and mind. It made me a better person and easier for others to be around also!!
I thought God was done with this topic for my life. I got it, I did it and I was done. But our plans are not always God’s plans. Our thoughts are not His thoughts.
Moving into the new year, it’s become a practice for me to choose something to focus on for the upcoming year. I either choose a song, phrase or single word for the year. However 2020 had some much negativity and 2021 looked to be an extension of 2020’s bad mood. I couldn’t find anything that was inspiring me.
What come first to me was that maybe “be positive” would be a good focus. Seemed to be a logical choice all things considered. I wrote it down and posted it on my computer monitor as a reminder. Then the verse that come to me to support being positive was Psalm 118:24. Yes, the same verse that I had rejected throughout most of my life.
Still, something seemed to not be quite right with the “be positive” focus choice. I felt like I was missing the target. However I just couldn’t put my finger on what it was God had in mind. Then one day sitting at my computer I literally laughed out loud. I laughed not at the word that came to me but at God’s sense of humor.
I was not done yet learning and living the truth of Psalm 118:24 as I felt God making it quite clear to me, the word I needed was none other than “rejoice”!!
Of course, God was right. This word is shaping and changing me and my perspective on life each and every morning.
He made this day.
It is His day.
It is a gift.
He gave it to me.
What a blessing it is indeed. What then am I going to do to make this day worthy of His creation? With this thought, notion and challenge, I smile and with a joy filled heart I whisper to God, “Thank you for making this day. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
JW