Rejoice: Advent 4 Reflection

Each week during Advent we will reflect on one word, led by a written reflection from a member of our community. This week's reflection is on "rejoice" by Jean-Paul Yafali.

I am the youngest of 9 half-siblings, many times the youngest of my childhood class (size 30+), and often as a child I was the weakest of my peers in street fight, soccer, or any other game. So, I have experienced one of the most organic bullying ever, resulting in a long-life frustration and effective trauma. This situation worsened when I lost my father at 11.

Fortunately, singing psalms during my church activities provided me with the security that God defends the weak and the fatherless... (Psalm 82:3). So, I had a reason to quit sadness... to access joy. This is the same joy that Paul recommends in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" I figured out many ways to bring joy in my life, such as singing in the choir, acolyting, playing piano for myself and others, volunteering, gardening, etc. These activities became my second nature, and always brought me an unlimited happiness. I am not saying that I do not feel depressed or sad anymore; but when unwanted things happen in my life, poison my brain and feeling, I use the weapon of joy to glimpse a greater joyful situation in a very near future.

For example, I moved from Africa to the US, from a poor land where I had everything to the richest land in the world when I came to experience the worst. I experienced struggles with immigration status that had serious consequences on both housing and employment. Supported by this congregation, I was always filled up with the joy brought to me and my family by church members, at the same time I was comforted to believe that feeling joyful would take care of the time, and all was going to be alright. This experience provided me with the certainty that the more I rejoice, the deeper I experience the joy of our Lord Jesus: the joy of living in a family of brothers and sisters; the joy of having my name written in the heaven (Luke 10:20), the same joy that is given by the Holy Ghost (Galatians 5:22). So, I will always rejoice to show my obedience to the Lord, who recommends it to me as the right attitude, as well as a life style that opens my mind to others and to the Lord; and always keeps me strong, blessed, and better prepared to any life experience. Just like Paul, I would recommend to "Rejoice at all times" (1 Thessalonians).