by Skip Moen
“Wherein you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while you have been distressed” 1 Peter 1:6
Rejoice – In Greek the word is agalliasthe. It comes from agan (meaning “much“) and hallomai (“to leap“). Literally, “much jumping“. We have the expression “jump for joy“. Now you know where it came from. It is ecstatic (also a Greek word) delight shown by jumping and dancing. This news is so terrific that we have to jump up and dance around.
Have you ever been to a celebration of earth-shattering good news? My parents experienced the announcement of VE Day and VJ Day. I’ve seen the pictures of jubilation, dancing in the street, kissing strangers, hugs, tears. The war was over. That might have been the last time that the world celebrated together. Today wars are already fodder for political commentaries before we have a chance to be relieved. Or wars become the focus of a national hemorrhage bleeding from generation to generation. Vietnam was like that. We never reached the point of celebration.
Peter tells us that our personal war with God is over. The good news needs to be celebrated. Our devastated lives have been rescued from certain destruction by God’s saving grace. Let the victory dance begin.
There have been many days in my life when I knew the ravages of war, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Those days have shaped me into who I am now. Thank God He has the ability to handle a complete reconstruction plan. I need it desperately. Now I know that my wounds are being healed. I can look up and see the parade. I hear the choir of angels singing God’s victory anthem. I am looking forward to the dance. It took all my life to get there. Jumping will feel so good.
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