The advent theme JOY is perhaps my favorite of the advent themes. I probably should not have a favorite; they are all pivotal moments in our remembrance of why we celebrate the birth of Jesus. I just love that JOY is not seasonal or situational. Joy does not require me or my circumstances to be perfect or perfectly happy.
I like this explanation: Joy is a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill His promises.
Joy is a gift for any heart in knowing God has provided a way, just as He promised, for all of us to be reconciled to Him. This is the “good news of a GREAT JOY which shall be for ALL the people”, proclaimed to those shepherds in Luke 2:10
I have a renewed understanding of this explanation of joy.
We had some young adult guests in our home the other evening. A few of them noticed a framed photo on our wall, a gift from my daughter. It was taken in 1984, the night before we were married. We were just kids, one month from turning twenty, and unable to imagine the future we would share. In wonder they said, “Wow, that is a long time, you must be very happy.” At that exact moment, I was indeed very happy. I am blessed to share love and life with Scott. We have had a ton of happiness. But I also know our journey has had plenty of unhappy times. Afterall, we are imperfect people navigating life in an imperfect world. In our lives, happiness is wonderful, but it is not what matters most.
What fills the heart, encourages grace, propels us through hard times, comforts, gives us confidence, and allows us to love one another every day is this: We share a lasting emotion that comes from our choice to trust the promise we made to one another that day in 1984.
Choosing to trust God in all things, knowing He has done and will do all He has promised, is a deeply planted seed of joy that will sustain you in all your days. May this week be filled with joy, not just the happy sights and sounds of Christmas time, but the deep-down joy of knowing God fulfills His promises.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Tuesday With Teri 