Today I had the privilege to write part 3 in the series, What gathers us together, posted on UnitedByLove blog. Each are vignettes of our thoughts on gathering…quick but powerful reads! Enjoy!
She gathered together her friends and neighbors and said, “Rejoice with me!”
Why do we gather…we gather together to rejoice in a life found in Christ.
Luke 15: 9 tells this story: “…she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ In a similar story, Jesus tells about the great celebration that takes place when one lost sheep is found, “…he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” Jesus said that there is more joy in Heaven over the one that is found that any other – It commands a party. A life found in Christ is something to celebrate!
There is something magical that happens when we gather in celebration. We put aside the obstacles of this world and we rejoice in what is possible in Jesus. We rejoice in redemption, in mercy and in the grace of a loving Father. We rejoice in thanksgiving for life’s sorrow that God has turned to joy and laughter. We rejoice in our Sisterhood that cannot be broken. We rejoice in the truth of God’s Holy Word and His adoring presence.
So I ask you, friend and neighbor, “Will you come gather and rejoice with me!”
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Lk 15:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Lk 15:6). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Angela Howard
April 19, 2014Great reminder to celebrate our life in Christ with our sisters! Thanks Angela 🙂