February 13, 2022 · Romans 12:15

Laugh and Cry Together

“I've actually been thinking maybe we need to do a series on emotional healthy spirituality, or maybe we need to do a series on loving Lord or God with all our heart, soul, mind, and body — and strength. Because this is key to what it means to be a follower of Jesus: learning to celebrate the victories in people's lives around us; learning to be able to mourn with those who are hurting bad; and to be able to do so genuinely, out of a place the Holy Spirit moves us and helps us feel, that we can have sympathy with those who are suffering, and we can have empathy and excitement for those who are rejoicing, even when we don't have that exact same thing that they have. Can you celebrate the fact that your friends can buy a new car? We mourn with your friends who have hit an economic downturn. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus. This is what it means to be a community: to shape each other. Because when you're rejoicing and I rejoice with you, I'm being formed. When you're mourning and I'm mourning with you, I'm being formed. And when I'm mourning and you mourn alongside me, you're becoming more like Jesus, because you're doing what Jesus would be doing. And I'm becoming more like Jesus because of what you're doing. We form and shape each other in the community. So what do you do? We're talking about mourning. What do you do?”