But then there is also joy, isn鈥檛 there?
This earthly life has a tendency to weigh on us, doesn't it?
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After all, the constant media barrage we consume is generally vastly negative. Demonstrations of competing ideological positions. Name-calling. Mistrust. It can eat us up if we let it.
And then on the personal side, we suffer heartbreaks and we watch loved ones experience the same. Lord have mercy, how difficult is that!
Admit it: It鈥檚 a battle to remember that this inexplicable and wonderfully made creation also presents us with joy when we鈥檙e in a mind frame to see it.
As Psalm 30:5 tells us: 鈥淲eeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.鈥�
Earlier this week, during Confirmation, we spent nearly the entire night walking about town, talking about where we saw God in action. In my experience, by this time in the school year, the last thing our kiddos are ready for is a 90-minute faith lecture when the springtime is beckoning outside. Why fight it? 鈥� So I roll with it.
As we walked the dirt roads of our small town, the kids pointed out where they saw our Creator in action. Albeit, some of the examples were a stretch, drummed up by teenagers whose minds were maybe on just getting to our ultimate destination 鈥� the school playground. But humorous stretches no doubt!
Heartwarming stuff. The stuff of a good life. The kids reminded me again to look for joy.
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That night, on my drive home, the spring sunset was spectacular. An explosion of colors no words can describe, partially hidden behind a cloud bank and the western treeline, both of which added a dramatic effect.
On the radio, a powerful, upbeat Caribbean-sounding song by Nadirah Shakoor, whom, if you鈥檙e not familiar with, I encourage that you should be!
Window down, springtime breeze blowing in. The smell of freshly turned soil in the fields along the highway.
My goodness, how lucky I was in that moment!
I would never minimize the difficulties of this world. There are a great many, and for some, more than their fair share. But friends, there also is joy.
In fact, all through the creation story in Genesis, after each day, God announces, 鈥淚t is good.鈥� And then on the sixth day, including the day of the creation of humanity, God declares, 鈥淚t is very good.鈥�
I know sometimes it feels impossible to look for the joy. There are times it may even feel sacrilegious to do so.
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But I assure you, God wants you to know that to feel joy is part of the plan.
Always remember, the Lord鈥檚 Prayer tells us 鈥渙n earth as it is in heaven.鈥�
Joy is good. We need joy. Go seek joy, my friends. Amen.
The Trust Project
