Embracing Joy - Even Now
If we were to take a poll asking which word best defines the year 2020, I’m not sure joy would be at the top of the suggestions?
As I edit this message my family is currently recovering from covid and my boys are reminding me often that we’re only a few sleeps away from Christmas! Here I sit by our decorated tree with an inhaler, tissues and a bible reflecting on our year and pondering this word - joy.
How easily we become distracted by the pain, division and suffering we see and experience in our world. Really, the same could be said at first glance of many stories recorded in the Bible. I mean you don’t have to read long to see evidence of war, sickness, persecution and the list goes on. Something surprising also weaves through the accounts in scripture though at the very same time - joy!
God wants to embrace us with joy - in ALL things. Yep, even now.
The Bible tells us that John, an unborn baby, leapt for joy in his mothers womb, when hearing Mary’s voice - who was pregnant with God’s son. Angels later announced good tidings of great joy at the birth of Jesus.
In the Old Testament we learn that the joy of the Lord can be our strength. He offers an oil of joy for our mourning, a joy that can penetrate deep within and heal the achy places of our lives.
We can actually live right now with a supernatural joy - that isn’t changed by our circumstances.
As a young man, Jesus told parables of joy and promised to give His followers complete joy that couldn’t be taken away. Later some of them would be beaten and killed for their faith, others would sing in prisons and somehow rejoice while suffering. Joy was a gift that sustained them through the fierce trials they endured.
Today we understand that an even greater joy is coming than we’ve ever known, heaven is waiting!
But listen to this: Not only does God promise eternity with Him - He also invites us to dip into His joy right now, to fuel us for these days we have on earth!
Where do we encounter this?
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11b
In HIS presence, we receive Joy!
The Lord doesn’t promise that tomorrow morning when we wake up all our sorrows will be gone. That sure would be nice though, right?! But He promises to never leave us.
He invites us to let go of discouragement and instead he offers a lavish gift. Why? Because He sees every single moment ahead of us. He placed us here for this very time and out of an abundance of love, he’s equipped us with the ability to thrive - no matter the circumstances we face.
I’ve noticed a recent theme, many people saying they can’t wait to kiss 2020 goodbye. I’m concerned they may be gravely disappointed on January first when some challenges we face still appear the same. Let’s face it, the headlines most likely won’t shift too greatly that morning - but we can. Romans 12 says, We can be transformed by the renewing of our minds!
What if we embrace the end of this year with gratitude, reflecting on the strength God gave us to endure? What if we kick off a new year by increasing our moments in the arms of our Heavenly Father and spending less time feeding on fear? If we do, our perspective will change, lives we touch will change and we will change!
My friend, you really can receive deep joy from your heavenly Father. He has seen each moment in 2020, where was He? He was holding you and He won’t let go in 2021 either.
While I don’t think suffering will only be something of the past. I believe we’re also on the threshold of a beautiful revival. Transparently, I think some of us have been watching for signs of revival in the wrong places, but that’s for another message. What I sense is that this movement has begun as an awakening within us. Roots deepening and hearts transforming in the midst of our ordinary lives as pressure builds.
I’ve personally encountered the spark of revival in unexpected places that have challenged me. I saw it in a young grieving widow as she stood beside her children lifting her hands to worship the Lord. I saw it grounding a local doctor during long days of treating covid patients. I heard the spark in the voice of a local politician I spoke with in the heat of the election and also in a mother who was caring for foster children as her own. I noticed it strengthening the face of a grocery cashier who had been working extra shifts and could see it woven within a young mother bravely facing her first chemo treatment.
The bright spark within each of these persons is a three letter word also known by believers thousands of years before us too, not natural in the moment but supernatural, sustaining them in the midst of challenging circumstances and reviving both their hearts and those of us around them.
That spark - is Joy.
How can they be infused with joy at a time like this? They know the One who is holding them.
Within HIS embrace as you soak in His presence, receiving His counsel and comfort, He will generously give you the fullness of joy - yes, even now!
Join me in embracing this prayer: “Lord I love you and your presence, fill me with unspeakable joy that is not shaken by the things of this world, but instead strengthens me for each day.”
Hi, I’m Jaime!
Prayer warrior, writer, and speaker in love with Jesus, my Jed, and our 3 Rowdy Redcays. Friend, I long to see you set free. Delivered from the chains that hold you back, compelled to navigate this journey as a fearless warrior. Where does that happen? In the embrace of Jesus!
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