Written for Jewel Warriors
In recent months, I have sensed many have been going through pressing times. I will be first to admit I have felt the pressing, the struggle and even at times emotions of hopelessness trying to seep in. The hope and reminder? We have hope and we have joy in Christ.
Today may I remind you; YOU are the joy of the Lord. You are worthy of having joy.
In the last three months I noticed a shift in my being, I noticed I was no longer experiencing a depression which seemed to hit right before my birthday. Typically, for many years, right before my birthday I would experience depression because all I could focus on was the thing I desperately desired and was still lacking. Focusing on what I didn’t have and wanted would make me feel unloved, which led to feelings of unworthiness. That eventually made me think my life was not worth celebrating and deep down, I began to get upset at the fact I was even born. This has changed. Though I still do not have what I have been praying for and asking for, I could feel a sort of settling. A peace and a joy I cannot explain.
What I can explain is this, a few months ago, I felt the Lord say to me, “Just enjoy life, do fun things.” (Or things that bring you joy) I learned to slow down, and I learned to have patience with myself. I went to an art museum, started and finished a puzzle, I got to go to a few concerts, spent time with family, baked and even spent time just sitting in an orchard staring at the leaves dance in the wind. What I realized in this season are two things; First, I learned sometimes we need to slow down to appreciate what we do have. Second, I started to see the Lord was teaching me to steward and cultivate the joy I already carried. The joy of being alive! Most importantly, he reminded me to bring others along, to invite friends to join me in some activities to not only bring a sense of belonging, but community.
Slowing down, made room to shift my perspective to that which is already mine, as my inheritance. I started to focus on what is in front of me, and within me, most importantly I started to see the people that were around me and loved me. Once I saw the true meaning of being alive, and understood how it truly is a gift, I started to want to celebrate the very fact that I am alive.
Yes, the pain and suffering are real, but so is the joy. When you learn that He has already overcome and you partner with His truth, it makes all the difference. You start to understand; life is worth celebrating.
I believe, sometimes we want God to magically make us happy and joyful. Have you ever stopped to think that, even if he did, could we possibly know how to maintain that joy? I believe He ideally wants us to steward and cultivate and maintain joy even when life gets hard. If He were to just give us joy without teaching us how to maintain it, we would lose it. We are to learn to appreciate the gift.
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” John 16:20
This is the season where the Lord is restoring joy. It doesn’t happen automatically as I have learned in the past few months, it must be cultivated. I believe in miracles and he can give joy in an instant, but I think the bigger picture The Lord wants us to grasp is that he already did give us joy! In Luke 2:10 we can read when joy was restored, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Joy began, not at the cross, but at the announcement and birth of Jesus Christ.
Joy is our inheritance, and it is our delight to discover this joy for ourselves in a way of everlasting so that we don’t get stuck trying to find a fleeting feeling of happiness.
Cultivate joy cultivate your life!
Both are a gift! You are a gift!
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3