Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
My office in currently in the Music Hallway filled with music instructors and student lessons. I get the joy of listening to students practice the piano, guitar, and vocals. So, often the hallway is filled with music and singing. They are practicing with passion and effort a part of their calling. I can tell that sometimes the student is tired or struggling or even frustrated through the repetition or pauses in their practice. They press on even when it’s not easy because they know they are growing in their craft and they can, over time, see improvement.
Advent season, like those practices, is not about performance but preparation. We are reminded as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s coming that joy is cultivated through repetition, patience, and faithfulness rather than instant results.
In this passage the Apostle Paul writes to encourage his brothers and sisters in the city and church in Philippi to choose joy. He knows their circumstances, and they are not good or easy. Poverty, political persecution, religious bias, and division are addressed in the letter Paul writes to them in chains, confined, and trusting God in the uncertainty.
His repeated call to “rejoice”, is not an empty platitude or ignoring of their circumstances. On the contrary, it is a practice, empowered by prayer, thanksgiving, and trust. He guides them to push through anxiety, to prayer and petition God for help, in a heart-felt posture of gratitude. Pray about your present need by thanking God for his past provision. Include all the details of each situation. God wants to hear it all, and He is near to you. These practices will result in the type of peace only God can offer and will strengthen your heart and fill your mind because of Christ.
Once of my favorite authors wrote, “Joy is peace dancing.” The result of the spiritual exercises described by Paul to the Philippians is a sustaining and disciplined joy. Lord, help me to keep praying, thanking, and trusting, so that in me, this Advent season, peace might dance.