The past weekend was full of so many emotions for me.
First, I had the opportunity to participate in the wedding ceremony of two people who I have had the blessing of helping to connect with God in a personal way. It was a great honor and joy to be asked. It has been so exciting to see the growth and change in their lives. Their love for God and for each other has grown and grown. A real first – at the rehearsal the groom got baptized!
The wedding was at 4:30 PM on Saturday evening. It was beautiful and wonderful. But right after the wedding, I jumped in the car to go to the memorial service of a friend who suddenly died unexpectedly. As I talked to the husband, who is my friend, my heart broke for him. This death happened way to early. She was a precious and generous person. Fortunately, she is with the Lord and we will see her again.
Sunday was an exciting day at NewPointe: Generosity Sunday. I got to share with the NewPointe family a great opportunity to invest in the next generation. The service was full of energy and exciting as we dreamed into our future with God.
Monday, I officiated at the memorial service of a good friend who died – again way too early from my human perspective. I met with the family, prayed and tried to comfort them while at the same time dealing with my own grief. He was a man who served people in Jesus’ name.
It all made me think again – this is the essence of a meaningful life. It’s about being fully present in the human experience with others, mirroring God's own involvement in our lives.
This is life. We are to share life’s experiences, the high and the lows, with others. We "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." Roman 12:15 is a biblical call for empathetic community, urging followers to share in the joys and sorrows of others, fostering unity, compassion, and authentic connection, and destroying envy or indifference. This is to be a vital and core part of Christian living and church fellowship.
Most people don’t have a problem of weeping with others. We feel their grief. But if the truth be told, too many of us have a problem rejoicing over what is happening that is good in someone else’s life, especially if it is going better than our own life. However, as Jesus followers we are called to do both.
How can we practice this?
Celebrate Victories: Be genuinely happy for others' successes, promotions, or good news.
Sit with suffering: Offer presence, comfort, and prayer in times of grief, acknowledging pain without needing quick fixes.
Live in Community: It's easier within a supportive church body, promoting mutual care. As tragic as these deaths were, these precious people were surrounded by their church family. They didn’t simply attend NewPointe – they were connected to NewPointe. There’s a BIG difference. They were doing life with the people of NewPointe, regularly participating in a group where they got to know others face to face.
Life is full of highs and lows. The only way to successfully navigate them is to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). As you do, He will pull you deeper into His family, which will help provide enduring strength and hope.