My dear sister,
It comes into my soul slowly and softly some days, other days with a force, this joy that fills me from above. I can’t predict but I can purpose. Purpose to live with joy. It’s the newness of the year, the hope of the unknown, the friendship of those close and near, but most of all, it is my Savior and His sacrifice that brings joy.
You see I often live a deceived life. You might too. What are you hoping in? Is it the next paycheck, the good doctor report (today I’m enjoying one of those), the latest gadget, having the final word? You fill in the blank…what brings you hope? I find hope and joy in so many things, and not always in Christ. But when I’m seeing clearly, my hope and joy are fixed squarely on Christ, as the only TRUE and LASTING source of joy. All the other counterfeits fizzle out quickly—you know this. I know this. Why do we fall? The allure of sin, omission and commission, it tempts us. It pulls at our hearts and convinces us that the struggle for true joy in Christ is not worth the fight. The world with its flashy promises of satisfaction, the flesh, so weak and unwilling at times; these things deprive us of the joy we are meant to live in.
How can we cling to the promises of Christ and find the joy we need to sustain us? As we know, like Nehemiah, ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength’ (8:10). There are a few things that help me live in the joy I’m called to:
~Reflect: Are you looking into your soul and asking the hard questions? Are we being honest with ourselves, and others, about where we really our in our walk with Christ? Our relationships? Our commitments?
~Rest & Renew: Often the answer for me is not doing more, but doing less. Christ isall-sufficient. As a college roommate once told me: “Stop acting like you’re Jesus, Ruth!”
~Remember: Whether it’s a long talk with a friend, looking over photo albums, or journaling, finding ways to remember God’s faithfulness to me brings me JOY! (Keeping a gratitude journal is awesome for this as well.)
~Repurpose: Make choices in line with what God is speaking to you through the Word, wise counsel, and prayer. Sometimes I know what God is calling me to, and I go the other direction like Jonah. Making a choice to follow where I’m called ALWAYS brings joy (even if it’s not easy!)
I pray your year is one marked by joy in Jesus, the only lasting source of satisfaction and peace in this world.
(Listen to the song below for extra encouragement on your quest for joy!)
“I Will Rise”, by Chris Tomlin:
There’s a peace I’ve come to knowThough my heart and flesh may failThere’s an anchor for my soulI can say “It is well”