The word God gave me for 2022 was joy. Each year, about this time, I sit with God to listen for what God wants to work in me and through me over the next year. For last year, God whispered βI want you to live and lead with joy.β
At the time when God whispered that challenge to me, my soul was weary from facing some tough sledding both at the church and at home. We were all starting to peak our heads out of the pandemic. The church budget was at a high deficit, and our music minister resigned. At home, Sarah and I were still adjusting to having 4 kids instead of 3 (not sure if we will ever quite grasp that adjustment). Sarah was (and still is - last semester!) still in school after having just given birth (if I have not told you lately, sheβs my hero). Our oldest three kids were adjusting to being back in school after not really having much school the year prior.
Yet, joy was what God required of me. On my journey with joy, I have discovered that joy is not a feeling or a mere sensation. Joy is a pervasive sense of well-being because of the goodness of God. In other words, joy takes on both a here and now perspective, and at the same time an eternal vision. We have joy because, in the end, God will renew the world, correct the wrongs, and we will be in Godβs presence forever. Ergo, whatever is happening now gives space for joy to move around in because God is with us, and God is working.
So, when those late nights with babies crying came, there was exhaustion and joy. When my daughters had big feelings over school, there was both empathy and joy. When our church budget crisis tried to overwhelm me, there was both fear and joy. When we did not know where we would go musically, there was anxiety and joy.
I still had all the human feelings we have when stressors, both good and bad, come our way. Yet I noticed there was more space to enjoy that moment because that moment is part of the day the Lord has made. I had to learn to rejoice and be glad in it.
Good word, Reverend Ray πππ»β€οΈπͺπΌ