On Finding Joy
Hey friends,
How are you all doing? I've had something stirring in my heart, and I thought I would pop on and see if I could put it into words.
We are into our fourth week of life/work/school from home... day 25, to be exact. By now, we have adjusted to a lot of the changes that have happened. I use that term "adjusted" quite lightly - because we definitely are not thriving in it, but we have adapted and are doing the best we can, and have found some sense of normalcy amongst the upheaval. Do you know what I mean?
I don't expect to be thriving during this time, but to be honest, something in me shifted this week, and I found myself moving from fear and anxiety, to peace and joy.
This week is what the Christian world calls "Holy Week." Starting last Sunday, was Palm Sunday, which we celebrate as the start of the week that led to Jesus dying on the cross, and rising again. This week has always held such anticipation for me. By far, Easter is my most favorite holiday of the year. I remember vividly celebrating it as a child, and it is the day I turned my life over to God. To me, it is the most joy-filled, hopeful, celebratory day in the calendar year.
This year, Easter looks a lot different. For the first time (maybe ever globally?) Christians are unable to meet face-to-face to join together in celebrating the reason for our faith. I don't know about you, but that brings me chills. However, despite our physical separation, we still celebrate. We join as a body in faith, in worship, and in prayer. Isn't is so cool that literally everything we do can be taken away, and shut down, except for our unity as believers in Christ?
So I have continued to approach this week with anticipation, and with passion, and with excitement. It will look so much different, but it will not be without meaning. Despite all or our external circumstances, we have hope! Despite all the pain and fear and grief and sadness, we have peace. Despite all the despair everywhere we look, we have joy! This life is not the end.
If this is not your reality during this time, I urge you to open a Bible, and read the words of God. I ask you to seek Him in prayer. Ask him to open up your eyes, illuminate your heart, and fill you with His presence. The world needs a Saviour right now, not just from the coronavirus, but from hopelessness and despair. And if you do believe in Christ, this is a time to radiate the joy that only He can give. There's a great sermon that spoke to this point here, if you want to listen more. It resonated with what is taking place in my own heart.
I know this is a time filled with so many burdens. Yet it is also a time filled with hope, peace and joy. My prayer is that this will be your reality as we approach this celebratory time.
How are you all doing? I've had something stirring in my heart, and I thought I would pop on and see if I could put it into words.
We are into our fourth week of life/work/school from home... day 25, to be exact. By now, we have adjusted to a lot of the changes that have happened. I use that term "adjusted" quite lightly - because we definitely are not thriving in it, but we have adapted and are doing the best we can, and have found some sense of normalcy amongst the upheaval. Do you know what I mean?
I don't expect to be thriving during this time, but to be honest, something in me shifted this week, and I found myself moving from fear and anxiety, to peace and joy.
This week is what the Christian world calls "Holy Week." Starting last Sunday, was Palm Sunday, which we celebrate as the start of the week that led to Jesus dying on the cross, and rising again. This week has always held such anticipation for me. By far, Easter is my most favorite holiday of the year. I remember vividly celebrating it as a child, and it is the day I turned my life over to God. To me, it is the most joy-filled, hopeful, celebratory day in the calendar year.
This year, Easter looks a lot different. For the first time (maybe ever globally?) Christians are unable to meet face-to-face to join together in celebrating the reason for our faith. I don't know about you, but that brings me chills. However, despite our physical separation, we still celebrate. We join as a body in faith, in worship, and in prayer. Isn't is so cool that literally everything we do can be taken away, and shut down, except for our unity as believers in Christ?
So I have continued to approach this week with anticipation, and with passion, and with excitement. It will look so much different, but it will not be without meaning. Despite all or our external circumstances, we have hope! Despite all the pain and fear and grief and sadness, we have peace. Despite all the despair everywhere we look, we have joy! This life is not the end.
I know this is a time filled with so many burdens. Yet it is also a time filled with hope, peace and joy. My prayer is that this will be your reality as we approach this celebratory time.
Comments
Post a Comment