J*O*Y

This is the time of year when we hear this word quite often.

Recently at church we were asked to describe the meaning of joy. I was intrigued since this is one of my favorite words!

Some definitions describe it as great pleasure, happiness, success or good fortune. I think there is a deeper meaning than these.

We can have all of the these things that are listed above and not have joy. Our lives are filled with lots of things that bring pleasure and happiness yet those things are temporary.

It brings me happiness when my favorite team wins a game or when I get to spend time with some of my most loved people.

Being joyful comes from deep within our hearts. My favorite team may lose a big game and that will make me sad yet I still have joy.

What does this word mean to you? How would you describe it? My first thought is peace others may say contentment. I used to think that joyful was being giddy with elation. No one can be like that all the time. I feel like you can have peace and contentment in the midst of heartbreak and disappointment.

This has been hard for me to grasp. It never made sense to be joyful when things go wrong. When I’ve experienced deep loss in my life being joyful wasn’t on my radar. Yet, when I think about it, I had peace and contentment. My sadness was deep. It wasn’t easy, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever went through.

I grieved, yet looking back I had a peace deep within me that I knew things were ok. I was so sad that one of my favorite people was gone. I wanted more time with them. I never blamed anyone though. I knew God had a plan and all the pain and sadness were fitting into that plan. Because of that experience I’ve grown and am stronger than I was before. I’d absolutely love to have that person back in my life, yet I know they wouldn’t want to come back to this world we live in.

There is so much darkness in our lives today. We hear of suicides, hatefulness, fighting, sickness . . . the list is long. People are hurting. There is hope!

I’ve learned that having peace in your heart comes from above. It’s when Jesus is in your heart. He’s the one who fills you with joy and peace. It’s not a fleeting emotion, it’s there to stay!

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today”. Luke 2:10 & 11

We are in the midst of the Christmas season. The reason we’re celebrating is because of a sweet baby born to save us and bring GREAT JOY to everyone!

JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with JOY!