The Joy of the Lord

The Joy of the Lord

          Have you ever realized that Joy comes from the Lord? If this is the case then why is it difficult to see that Joy when we all meet together as a family? I understand that families notoriously have that weird uncle or the black sheep siblings that know how to stir things up especially around the holidays. Do we carry this over to our spiritual lives also? I have noticed more and more during my almost 10 years in ministry now that it seems more people are having to drag themselves to be in the presence of other Christians instead of celebrating it, and running in to see if they can even get a seat because they are so excited to be there.  Could you imagine what the church would be like if everyone had a joy in their heart of longing to be together with one another, after all isn’t that what we are longing for in heaven? I will speak honestly and say that not everyone I worship with I get along with, some I may have a hard time even “liking” but I love them greatly and I have a joy within me that wants to celebrate something that is bigger than us, and my joy is in doing it together. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say REJOICE!”  

          I was talking to someone I grew up with and they were telling me why they left the faith, they stated that it was getting depressing that every Sunday when they would arrive into the parking lot it seemed as if people were looking as if they would rather be doing anything else than being at church. Imagine if you were someone that didn’t know God or did not have a relationship with him and your first impression of the church were people that didn’t want to be there, it would make you think twice I’m sure.  I have traveled the world and seen many cultures, in one of my journeys I ended up in a small village in Honduras.  This town at one point because of a hurricane was shut off to the rest of the country for over a year, there was nothing coming in or out people had to rely on living off what the land could provide. There were many that still lived in mud houses with thatch roofs and had nothing (at least in the standards of our overly blessed country). When we arrived at the church to worship with the family out there I was overwhelmed with their excitement and connection with Christ. The gathered early and stayed late, they sang with their hearts (not caring of their pitch or tune) and would blow the roof off of the church because they were excited to be there. In this society the Church is the only thing that gives them hope, and through their hope they have such great Joy, even in the hardships and the great poverty they find richness in the word of God and celebrate is as a family. sometimes i feel that the simple and difficult life they have creates in them the desire to be close to the creator because the need the help, and we as a country dont understand poverty and we see church as another person trying to sell us something or another thing taking up our time, we become stagnant and settle for being mediocre unhappy Christians. 

          Questions to end on, what is taking your JOY? Are you always comparing yourself to others, or wanting more in material items, relationships, are you looking for approval,  or are you feeling like you don’t belong? There is joy in Christ but you have to be opened to receiving his love, hope, and spirit… you will be blessed and you will be joyful.  My hope and prayer is that we as Christians can lay aside our personal feelings, our baggage, and our pride at the feet of Jesus so we can have perspective on life and maintain a JOY in him knowing that our futures are so bright because they are illuminated by the holiness of God. May God bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and give you peace!

I will leave you with the lyrics of a great song

The Joy of the Lord

The joy of the Lord
Will be my strength
I will not falter
I will not faint
He is my Shepherd
I am not afraid
The joy of the Lord
Is my strength

The joy of the Lord
The joy of the Lord
The joy of the Lord
Is my strength
Thy joy of the Lord
Will be my strength
He will uphold me
All of my days I am surrounded by mercy
And grace
And the joy of the Lord
Is my strength

The joy of the Lord
Will be my strength
I will not waiver Walking by faith
He will be strong
To deliver me safe
The joy of the Lord
Is my strength