Creating Joy

Ok, so I am totally stealing this concept from my Pastor's sermon on Sunday.  Thank you John!  But that is what "Godvisits" are all about...it's hearing something, seeing something, a song, an event, a statement, something we read, just a moment in time when we sense or feel or even just know God is present, and reaching out to us.

Christmas season is upon us and with it comes for some busyness and exhaustion, for some loneliness and sadness...trying to squeeze too much into to little space, or trying to ignore it altogether...wherever you may be on that spectrum, God has a word for You, and for me.  You can "create" joy.

More accurately, we can choose to let it flow into our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. But it takes a little effort on our part.  My Pastor gave us two  things that would open our hearts to receive and create joy in them....Gratitude and obedience.  He used the example of exercise and eating right giving us a healthy body  In the same way that works, focusing on being thankful (we must DO THIS ON PURPOSE!) and being obedient in what we know, will produce in us the fruit of joy.  Seems counter-intuitive to be thankful when we are struggling, when we hurt, when everything around us seems wrong and everything inside us feels heavy and dark.

James 1:2-3  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you  know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  A crazy concept and directive, don't you think?  But if God says it, then it must be true and it must work.  He has a reason for everything, a purpose behind every problem.  Our job its to rejoice, obey and trust.  Sometimes, (oh lets be honest, all the time) I want to know what good is going to come from disappointment, heartache, loneliness.  What blessing is going to come from to my aching heart when life throws rock after rock after rock at me, and I feel beaten and bruised and tired.

Romans 8:28-29  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.  For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  There is a purpose.  We are becoming like Jesus through all that comes our way.

By this time of the Christmas season, I am usually feeling a little winded.  I've tried keeping my focus on the Lord more than on the world, with varying degrees of success...but as usual I still get caught up in the busy.  And then these few statements from another poignant sermon hit their mark (God's mark), and I am strengthened once again, focused anew and so very thankful for another God visit.

So today I will start with three things to be grateful for.  1) The love of God, that sent His son into a dreary, sin filled world to die for me.  2)  The warm and comfortable home I slept in last night.  3) The job I have that puts food on my table...even though it drives me crazy more often than not!      
4)   My wonderful church family and the freedom we have to worship Jesus Christ.  5)The family and friends God has blessed me with.  6)  The opportunity to pursue my passion (given by God Himself) of helping animals. Okay, so that is more than three.  When I think about it I really could go on and on and on!  This sermon series is called "Unwrapping the Gifts of Christmas" and I believe we just unwrapped another one!!

Thank You Lord.  Just thinking about these blessings brings a smile to my heart and my face.  You are so kind, so generous, so loving.  Thanksgiving, obedience, as I do these, I abide in You.  You are the place of joy, the center of peace.  As I write this my heart fills with thankfulness and praise.  I love You Lord. Help me to follow You today, in obedience and let the Holy Spirit produce His fruit in my life that all may see YOU glorified.

Take time to be thankful today....multiple times today...purposely sit down and write out something to be grateful for....think big, think small...God is good.