Looking Through the Lens of Joy - Advent 3
Roscoe and I were doing a study on joy this week, and we were thinking about the difference between joy and happiness. If you look up the definition of both words in the dictionary, it is very similar and they are synonyms for one another. But despite what the dictionary says, they aren’t exactly the same. Joy at first glance seems like a simple emotion, but it is more a state of being. Aria made the beautiful string art that is featured in my picture. And just as it is a complex maze of string and nails creating a stunning image, so joy is both simple and complex.
In Luke 2:10 an angel spoke to the shepherds in a field “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” News that causes joy. And in Hebrews 12:2 speaking of Jesus, it says that “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Joy that brings focus and hope.
The news that the angels brought was a message of hope: God with us! God who understands and meets us in our humanity. God who shows us His love through humility and sacrifice. This is a message of love! This is a message of peace between God and us, peace being God with us. And this is a message of joy, God in us! This clarifies the struggle that we each experience in our lives. That although life can be hard, unpredictable, out of our control, there is a way to have joy in the midst of all the hurt, brokenness and turmoil. It is in the incarnation of God, which simply means that God took on humanity and became one of us, fully human, and yet, fully God. And He did it, for the joy set before Him. We are that joy! God looked at us and said we are worth it. We are worth becoming human. We are worth entering the struggle of humanity. And not just we as a collective, but also as individuals. You are worth the pain of the cross. You are worth the humility of carrying the shame of sin. You are His joy.
On December 10th I read in the devotional Jesus Calling, that “instead of yearning for a problem-free life, rejoice that trouble can highlight your awareness of My Presence.” When we choose to rejoice, we thank God for He has done and is doing in the face of what our current story is. We have great news (Luke 2): God has written a narrative that is larger than the narrative of our own lives. That we can rejoice in! In James 1:2-3 it says to choose a different way to think of our trials or story; to see them through a lens of joy. To see God at work in your life, strengthening you, inviting you to walk the path in His presence (Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 55:12).
The past 8 months God has been reminding me of Philippians 4 all.the.time. In particular, verse 4-7. Sometimes I read the verses forwards, and sometimes I read them in reverse. Often my conversation with God begins with me asking Him for peace. I need to root myself in His presence. And usually it’s because I’m feeling anxious, or sad, or angry, and He reminds me that I can bring all those feelings and concerns to Him. Then He reminds me how He is always with me, and He is at work in me, it is noticeable. And because of the bigger story He is inviting me to be a part of, and the bigger story that He is creating overall, I can rejoice. I can have joy because of this good news. He is my great joy, and I am His.
Philippians 4:7-4 (I reversed it for you!)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
