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Hebrews 13:16: "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
Every year around this time many people in this country come together for the sake of tradition, and they enjoy all of the company, or the food, or the gifts, or even the nostalgia. However, there are many who do not have families to celebrate with, or even friends for that matter. This leads to a common problem among these people and that problem is depression. Such people are overcome by a heaviness and sorrow that seems to just come upon them, even against their own will. Even great men in Christian history have suffered from such depression. Many times throughout the New Testemant you can hear hints of depression in Paul's writings, such as in his letter to the Phillipians where he wrote of his close friend's near fatal sickness. From this text plus many others it is clear that Paul shared in the sufferings of those close to him in the church. You can also read in the first chapter of the same book his joy over the Phillipians spiritual growth as well. His godly emotions, that is emotions that were being sanctified, were strong for the church, and so should ours.
Romans 12:15 tells us to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep." It brings to mind Jesus when he wept after the news of Lazarus's death. That is why the text in Hebrews 13:16 calls these acts of mercy "sacrifices". That means that by God's Spirit working in us, we are to not only see needs and do good deeds to meet such needs, but to see other's emotional states and to unite our spirit with theirs through the depths of the Lord's compassion. We cannot just simply rely on our own emotions to avail, but on the Lord's love deep inside of us. It is something that is of God's will and against our own fallen will, that is why it is a sacrifice. So, I encourage you to look for the opportunity, for they are always around us, to let the sacrificial love of God move through us to help and carry the burden of another. In so doing, God is glorified and through such love we will take part in that glory together.
By James Domzalski |
