This time of year they say starts one of the most depressing times for a lot of people. I have never understood that, until last year with it being the first holiday season since my dad passed. This year the season is starting out in about the same way as last year so this word God is giving me is so very relevant to me. Maybe it will be what someone else needs to hear also.
When we look at it, we start with Thanksgiving, a time when we stop to think about all the good things in our lives. In some cases it may be just a few things that are good, but none-the-less good things. Then we move on to Christmas when we should focus on others and giving. Christmas is also the time when we should be thinking about the gift of Life and forgiveness that God gave us in His Son Jesus Christ.
I know that things in life can get hectic around this time of year and there are alot of things that can get us down, swamped and occupied. But that doesn’t have to take away the joy. Yes, I said joy.
Let me expand upon that. First let's look at what joy means as a word.
Joy–noun
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally
good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:
2.a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly
valued or appreciated:
3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety
4. a state of happiness or felicity.
As I think about this a few lyrics from songs come to mind. Well actually they were floating around in my head and being voiced in the shower the other day.
You give me joy that's unspeakable and I like it, and I like it, yeah Your love for me is irresistible I can't fight it, I can't fight it
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Joy to the world the Lord has come.
It was quite a concert, let me tell you. Glad you all couldn’t hear it.
But, back on track, ever since I got out of the shower I have been thinking about Joy. Man it is so easy for me to get bogged down with the details of life.But why do I do that when I could be living in the Joy that comes from God. Now I don’t know what your situation is in life but I can tell you one thing for sure. That is, our God is not a God of worry, depression, resentment, regret or remorse. Our God is a God of love, peace and joy. If you let all the other stuff become the focus in your life you will miss everything good that God has for you. I want to encourage you with a few scriptures before I sign off.
David knew all about hardships but he also knew about joy and where it came from:
Psalm 49:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 50:1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
One last thought and reminder for me as well as my prayer for you as you start this holiday season.
I pray that you will put your trust the God of peace, harmony, wholeness, and joy so that he can completely pour into you until you cannot help but overflow, with the hope that comes from The Holy Spirit, I pray that He will also protect you heart and mind in the power of Jesus Christ and that He will give you peace that goes so much farther than anything you can know or comprehend. May you experience a holiday season that is saturated in the powerful all encompassing love of our Heavenly father through His Son Jesus Christ
AMEN
Romans 15:13 (Tree of Life Version)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom (peace, harmony, wholeness) in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.(The Holy Spirit)
Philippians 4:6-7 (Tree of Life Version)
6 Do not be anxious about anything—but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.[a]
I hope that you can sing for joy in the shower and not care who hears it!
Pastor Sean