Be Countercultural

We are living through unprecedented times right now with the Coronavirus pandemic and with heightened racial tensions throughout our country. Often it's hard to know how to form an opinion because of the onslaught of conflicting information and opinions coming our way many times throughout the day.

I so badly want to do something or say something that will make a difference but I don't know what to do. Seriously. It seems as if both sides of the aisle are so angry that, as a child of God, it's difficult to feel okay joining them.

Face it! Our culture is a mess!

I've given some thought to what a truly countercultural, Christian move would look like. What would happen if God's children decided to start rejoicing? His word says “Rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) “Always”. What does that look like in my world today?

Rejoicing is a powerful action that implies that we trust God. It's an action that implies that we trust that He is at work and that He is good. I believe both of these truths, but do my actions show that?

Let’s look at some stories in the Bible that show people in the midst of impossible situations making the decision to praise God, to lift his name up, to ascribe to him the glory and honor that he deserves. After Paul and Silas were thrown into prison they prayed and sang hymns. This was after they had been attacked by a mob, had their clothes ripped off by the city officials, and beaten with rods. They were sitting in prison with their feet in stocks when they burst forth with praise and worship. Then they saw God’s plan unfold.

Later Paul, while imprisoned in Rome, wrote, “ Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17,18) Also, “Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.” (3:1) And, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (4:4)

Much earlier in Israel’s history, the land of Judah was faced with armies from several nations poised and ready to attack. Their king, Jehoshaphat, called his people together to pray. They begged for help, saying, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

God told them, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” He further instructed them to “stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.”. (20:17)

All of them worshipped God and praised Him “with a very loud voice”. Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing and to praise God as they went to face the armies. Verses 22-24 tell how the armies destroyed each other leaving not one alive. All this happened while God’s people stood and praised God and watched.

What happens when we rejoice? Without a doubt, rejoicing changes our attitude and possibly the attitudes of people around us. But is there something deeper happening than that? Perhaps by rejoicing we're giving permission for God's Kingdom to more fully enter into our world. God doesn't ever need permission but God has invited us to participate in His Kingdom work. He chooses to move when His people cry out to Him. Throughout the Bible, when God’s people cried out for help, they also lifted God’s name up. They praised Him. They rejoiced in Him. What a privilege!

Rejoicing is a choice to communicate on a supernatural level. When we rejoice we are joining our voices with the angels. We don't do it to impress people. We don't do it to influence people. We do it because we recognize that God is God! He sits enthroned in Heaven above all other powers and dominions. He loves us with an everlasting love. He has provided a way of escape from judgment. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

Rejoicing is our response to the Most High. And when we rejoice, the enemy draws back. He already knows he's defeated. Rejoicing is a reminder to him (and to us) that God is winning. The victory belongs to Him.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

(Revelation 22:1‭-‬5)