Romans 12:5 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

I want our church to always be a place where we share our highest joys and our deepest laments. It’s the latter half that is often harder, but it’s something we must fight for as the people of God.

We need a place to weep, and people to weep with. It’s uncomfortable lamenting, groaning, and mourning, but it’s a gift we can give to one another.

So friends, as we reflect on Romans 8:18-27 we see that futility is bound up in our life, indeed, inseparable from our life, even post-cross, and so let us face it head on, together.

Let us rejoice in the greatest moments in our life together and let us hang our heads in dismay too. And in the centre of the joy and groaning, is Jesus Christ.

The one who for the joy set before him, headed to his darkest hour. The one who wept, and then resurrected Lazarus. The one who came to bring life, and life to the full, but a life that is betwixt with suffering, anguish, pain and loss.

If you are struggling, share it. If you see someone struggling, hug them, pray with them, don’t try to make it all better, but do try to walk them to Jesus once again where they can lay their burdens and griefs and laments down, and in his arms they will find true sympathy and true life.

We are a church that does weddings and funerals. Baptisms and lament. We do cake and Kleenex.

So come and be real. Rejoice greatly, and ugly cry. But just come with your whole self.

Sovereign Grace Parramatta, let us be a place to weep.