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Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

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by Graham Mol This morning a particular article caught my eye: Imlonely: How a YouTube music channel became a mental health hub The subtitle of the article reads: Among the thousands of music channels on YouTube there is one like no other. Imlonely started as a musical diary for one person but became a mental health community providing support to thousands of young people going through their toughest times. I was greatly encouraged as I read of how a community of young people (mostly teenagers) has developed in the comment section of the YouTube videos to be a place of comfort and encouragement. Where those who are struggling mentally and emotionally can find that they are not alone in how they may be feeling. There are others who can understand and share their struggle. Words of comfort and encouragement far outweigh the cynical or dismissive comments that one often finds in these online spaces. This all reminded me of one of the most powerful tools of sharing God's love with others: Empathy. Empathy can simply be described as "the ability to understand and share the feelings of another". This is one of the descriptions of empathy that we find in the Bible: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) A joy shared is a joy multiplied. When something wonderful happens in our lives, we all have that desire to tell someone about it. What a blessing it is to be a multiplier of that joy and rejoice along with someone who is rejoicing. When it comes to the other side of the coin, to weep with those weeping brings comfort in the knowledge it gives the sorrowing person that they are not alone in their time of need. There is someone who seeks to understand and even share in the burden. "You are not alone" are some of the most beautiful words that can be shared with someone, even when they aren't spoken out load. The great thing about empathy is that you don't need to have the answers and solutions to another's problems. Sometimes we are blessedly able to help, but never underestimate the power of presence, coming alongside another, and the difference it can make. It's true that some of us are naturally more inclined to empathy than others. If you struggle in this area do not fear, for we have the Lord with us, His Holy Spirit to guide us. In Jesus we have the most empathetic person to have walked this earth: Therefore, He had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since He himself has suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who…

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Light in the Darkness

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by Caryl Moll Despite the new norm of social distancing and isolation, some incredible stories have emerged from this world-wide pandemic.  I’m not discounting the terrible news that gets the headlines, but I’m talking about those un-highlighted, beautiful accounts that can easily go unnoticed. We need to look out for them. There have been romances that have blossomed and some singles have finally met their soul-mates. One can feel their happiness as they describe their hopes and dreams for their future. Weddings are being planned or talked about. (Even in our own fellowship group! J Congratulations Evelyn and Jeff on your engagement!) There have also been some amazing accounts of kindness, unbelievable generosity, encouragement and inspiration as folk have stood in the gap for others who are suffering.  The accounts of compassion that I hear from my own family’s ‘Health care worker’ in the frontlines are simply heroic. Prayer chains have strengthened, songs have been written and followers of Christ have discovered new talents and callings. We’ve drawn closer to God in our isolation.  There have been live streams, podcasts and an explosion of Christian literature and study. I personally have discovered new meaning in my writing. And we’ve had the unique opportunity of noticing the smaller things in life. I’ve relished my garden and the myriad of birds that grace the branches of our trees. Hubby and I have done numerous bird courses – it’s been simply eye-opening. Why have we not done this before? And then there are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that only Africans understand.  I’ve had the opportunity to watch many from my rooftop – standing, breathless, in awe of God’s unbelievable creation. I can only conclude that there is immense goodness around us and I can see the hand of our amazing Lord working in it all. Long-term relationships too have found new meaning. For me, personally, I have had the joy of watching my husband work from home. It’s given me new insight to his daily hurdles and triumphs. I now understand how God is using him and the purpose he has on this earth.  It’s made our bond stronger as I have realised that he needs my constant prayer. This is an immense privilege and blessing. I have also made some brand new friends during lockdown.  The digital world and technology has opened up a whole new era of communication and interaction.  ‘Whatsapp’ virtual tea dates are fun.  Meals can be shared while chatting over video-calls and conversations can be deeper than what we’ve been accustomed to.  We can feel safe in our own spaces, knowing that the world is just ‘working it out’ as we grow in God. There is one particular friend that I so appreciate – my new friend, Julie. We refer to one another as ‘The friend I have never met’. Luckily she is not a ‘total stranger’, because we have some mutual friends, but we’ve never actually met in person. Our friendship has grown over the months.…

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The Good Ol’ Present

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by Lue KincaidWhile browsing YouTube a few days ago I came across the following poll:After looking at the results I wondered how many people are currently not content with where they in the present moment. How many of us look back and long for previous experiences or wish to go back to a time when we were happier? One of my favorite songs is by an artist by the name of John Mayer called “Stop this Train” which is all about life progressing like a train does from one destination to the next and how there’s nothing we can do to stop it. Here is an excerpt from the song:Stop this trainI wanna get off and go home againI can't take the speed it's moving inI know I can'tBut, honestly, won't someone stop this train?So scared of getting olderI'm only good at being youngSo I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begunHad a talk with my old manSaid, "Help me understand."He said, "Turn 68You'll renegotiateDon't stop this trainDon't for a minute change the place you're inDon't think I couldn't ever understandI tried my handJohn, honestly, we'll never stop this train"I honestly believe that there is a way for every single one of us to be content in whatever stage of life we currently find ourselves. There’s nothing that we can do to go back to what we deem a better time so that’s why we all need to appreciate the present:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:10-13Regardless of where you find yourself right now – contentment in Jesus exists – it really does! No matter what stage of life we are in and no matter what we have gone through or lost – we still have a unique purpose in this life to fulfill. So instead of focusing on what was or what could’ve been let’s look to what God has in store for our lives in the present. Much love,Luke

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Calven: Real to Me

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by Calven Celliers What has become increasingly real to me over the past few years, is that the longer I walk with Jesus – through both the highs and lows of life’s experience – the more I dislike religion. In fact, I’m growing to really dislike it. To some that may sound shocking, but before you think I’ve lost my marbles, please hear me out. My greatest heartache and concern, is that we as Christians can go to church every Sunday, and follow all the rules but never truly follow Jesus. All too often we cheapen Christianity to behaviour modification, conformity to a moral code, following an extensive list of do’s and don’ts. That’s religion! That sounds more like the Pharisees modus operandi than it does about Jesus’ example. Jesus didn’t come to make us religious. As I read through the Gospel’s I have come to see that Jesus’ greatest opposition wasn’t the world, the heathens or the lost, it was the religious people. Those who look down their self-righteous noses at the very ones Jesus came to seek and to save. Christianity was never meant to be a religion. Religion weighs people down by making them think they need to follow a bunch of rules and rituals to try to please God. It teaches that you have to earn your way into God’s good books, which is actually impossible. None of us could ever be good enough to earn a place in heaven, which is why religion is so exhausting, frustrating, and hopeless. If you’re a Christian, and I’m assuming the vast majority of the audience reading this blog are, then I expect you have heard this all before. But, if you’re anything like me and most Christians I know, you struggle to let this truth penetrate your heart and permeate your day-to-day life, and your experience of God. Grace is a gift most of us don’t know how to receive. We’ve been so inundated with the earthly systems of give-and-get and work-and-earn that grace is a concept few ever fully grasp. There is something about us that wants to earn our own salvation. But consider what the apostle Paul had to say in his letter to the Ephesians – “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8 & 9NIV) There again, I assume you’ve read that many times before, chances are you could probably quote a paraphrase of that very verse if required, but has it penetrated your heart and permeated your experience? In other words, is it real to you?  Jesus came to free us from the futility of religion and to offer us something so much better — a real relationship with God. Through that relationship, we can learn what grace really is and how it plays out in both our relationship with God and other people. As a pastor, who interacts…

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