Folks usually say that John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” They are right, but our reading today is one of the other short in the Bible.
It is 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always.”
Why would we choose such a short verse for commentary? Because the tenor of your life is affected by how you follow this verse. Let me explain.
At the end of your life there will be many things you have loved to do, or have, or see, or experience. Things that you will remember fondly. If you could only go back in time and do those things just for an hour, they would bring you great joy. But you can’t.
In fact, those great, everyday experiences of your life, are remembered only in the cloud of all the times you had, but you do not remember the last day you sat in the high school class. You do not remember the last time you got to make home-made ice-cream. You do not remember the last time you ate at your favorite restaurant.
Mostly, when it was happening, you didn’t feel the real joy you would now. We only have one defense against wasted opportunities for every joy. That defense is to simply “rejoice always.”
I remember the last time I picked up Jeremy in my arms and carried him to bed. He was probably 5 feet tall and weighted around 100 pounds. He fell asleep on the couch. I reached down to pick him up. Liz told me to wake him and he will walk to bed. I told her no that this was the last time I would get to do this. It was a struggle, but I still remember the joy of that moment.
I don’t remember that time with my girls because I was not as old or as wise. I just let that moment fly by.
So far all those ordinary experiences you will have today. “Rejoice always.” It may be the last time you get to have that experience. Time goes by fast.
Lonnie Davis