CONSIDER JOY
But Christians know that nothing can compare to the Joy of the Lord. It is what sustains us in times of trouble, comforts us when we feel alone and is wholly not dependent on our external experiences or those around us. It is not something that should be cowed by circumstances or culled by cowardice for the joy of the Lord is your strength. And it is always within you.
I once went to the Sahara. As in DESERT.
From a young age, it has been my goal to see many of the earth’s wonders. And no, not just the various structures, man-made or otherwise, compiled for random listicles. But the wonders of the earth created by God that remind me that I am not alone, that there is a plan, and that God is so much bigger and mightier than I can ever imagine.
So I went to the Sahara. It took three entire days to travel there, spend a day and a night under the stars and travel back to my city of choice. I had no plan but the journey was filled with revelation. Things didn’t go as expected. In fact, things went very wrong. But I am thankful and grateful to God all the same. I had the experience of a lifetime. One, I will never forget. And I count it all joy.
James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
The above verse has always been a favorite of mine. In light of the new year , many of us will have new year resolutions we hope to achieve or #wordgoals for our 2020 lives, I want you to consider the word JOY.
Not just what you experience during the holiday seasons or on special occasions. Joy is not limited to a season and doesn’t come just once a year. It is a gift, present within us believers as surely as the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness….”
John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”
It is described in Merriam-Webster, as a state of happiness or cause of delight. But Christians know that nothing can compare to the Joy of the Lord. It is what sustains us in times of trouble, comforts us when we feel alone and is wholly not dependent on our external experiences or those around us. It is not something that should be cowed by circumstances or culled by cowardice for the joy of the Lord is your strength. And it is always within you.
The reason why James 1:2-3 is a favorite is because it is a reminder. That life comes at you hard and fast. We go through trials and hardships and they test your faith. But through God, you persevere and you persist. You get knocked down but you get back up again. That’s what matters. And how delightful when you can say that it is by God’s grace you overcame that struggle. What joy to know that you aren’t in a battle alone and that you have the almighty Creator on your side?
But Christians know that nothing can compare to the Joy of the Lord. It is what sustains us in times of trouble, comforts us when we feel alone and is wholly not dependent on our external experiences or those around us. It is not something that should be cowed by circumstances or culled by cowardice for the joy of the Lord is your strength. And it is always within you.
That first afternoon in the desert, I was caught in a horrible sandstorm. I could barely see two feet ahead of me. I was forced to dismount my camel and huddle under a heavy cloak to avoid the burning sands, heavy winds and of course (!) the glacial rain that came down. I couldn’t believe that just minutes before I was marveling at the beauty of that ocean of sand as far as the eyes could see. And in my awe, I failed to see the sandstorm approach despite looking directly at it. I was forced in the middle of the sandstorm to traverse by foot several sand dunes to make my way to a camp set up by the tour guides. All I could remember was the fear I felt while waiting an excruciating amount of time – minutes that felt like hours – for help to arrive and praying. My prayers were answered.
I am thankful everything worked out fine. And I am grateful that I can cry out and turn to God in all times, including in times of need. And I am joyful that in those times of need I know where to turn to and who to lean on despite how bad it may be.
1 Peter 1:18 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy”
Indeed, the joy of the Lord is my strength. It is a state of happiness and He is the source of my delight. I carry it with me always. In good times and bad times. Year in and year out. So, in addition to your new year resolutions and/or #wordgoals for 2020, also consider JOY.