Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
My alarm went off at about 5 AM. Obviously still way too tired, I hit the snooze button a couple times before finally getting out of bed at around 5:15. Not in the best mood, I brushed my teeth and got dressed before walking outside into the pitch black darkness, the sun not rising for another 45 minutes or so. We were all ready to leave at 5:45, but unfortunately, our driver, Patrick, overslept, and we ended up waiting around in the dark for 15 or 20 minutes before leaving around 6. We arrived at the church around 6:15, 15 minutes late, only to discover that church hadn’t started yet, and we were almost the only ones there. Oh and the power went out so we were sitting in the dark. After the service ended at 8, we went outside to find out about leaving for the prison ministry we had planned on doing. Upon some investigation, we discovered that the people who ran the prison ministry usually attended the second service and then left at 9. So basically what you’re telling me is that we didn’t have to go to the first service? Which means I didn’t need to wake up at 5? I didn’t need to sit around waiting for our driver in the dark for 15 minutes? I didn’t need to sit in a dark church service? Awesome.
We went back into the church for the worship part of second service, and I found myself not in a very good mood. But then I began to look around. And I watched many Ugandans worship joyfully and passionately with all of their hearts. Perhaps it was time for me to check myself.
Let’s compare situations, shall we? I was in a bad mood because I had to wake up earlier than I desired and inconvenienced a couple times during the morning. And then I was standing in a room with people who had so much joy even though they lived harder lives than I could imagine. People who lived in poverty, who possibly lived in a small home with 4 or 5 other family members. Those who possibly didn’t know from where their next meal was coming. Those who have possibly lost a loved one due to disease. Oh, and not to mention people who were still healing from the effects of a genocide and civil war. If these people could still joyfully worship God, it seems likely that I could perhaps find something to be joyful about in my life.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
