WAILING

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “Joy.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

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If I could paint "joy" it would look like this

Several times a year I clean out my Bible. Out come the 3-month old church bulletins, the unused attendance cards and the slips of paper filled with prayer requests long since answered.

Also get peeled off are the post-it stickers marking verses that have spoken to me at various times.

For the last half dozen times I have cleaned out my Bible though, I have left a single post-it attached. By now, the purple post-it has faded to a light pink and has rolled onto itself so that it no longer flaps happily out the side. It marks Psalm 30:11:

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

We all face moments of despair, depression or anxiety. Those moments when what we want most to do is wrap ourselves in a blanket and wail. At those times, I remember this psalm and watch as releasing my cares to Jesus results in throwing off the blanket and wanting to dance with joy.

I’m thinking about replacing my worn out post-it with a fresh one. Then again, by now my fingers can find Psalm 30:11 on their own. In fact, I no longer even need to read it for it to speak to my heart.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you know our needs. You know our moments of despair and you love us through them. Thank you for the joy we find in you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What verse speaks to your heart about joy?

FINDING THE J.O.Y.

If I could paint "joy" it would look like this

We’ve heard the acronym before. But it’s time to revisit it. It says that our focus should be:

• Jesus
• Others
• You

In that order.

Jesus. Jesus set aside his divinity for my sake. Gave up his glorious place in heaven temporarily to come to this small blue planet twirling in the dark sky. He became a helpless infant in order to share in our experiences and teach us how to live. He suffered a horrible death and took upon himself the full wrath of God so we don't have to.

Others. Jesus’ second commandment is: love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus showed us how to love others. By spending time with others; giving them our ears, our hands and our hearts, sharing Jesus with them.

Paul reminds us of this focus in Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.

You. It’s easy to put ourselves first. Not so easy to put ourselves last. Often our frenzy is fueled by fear—of feeling overwhelmed and under prepared. Luke 2:8-10 reminds us of the very first Christmas.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

When we become fearful; feeling like we’re never going to get it all done; when the joy starts slipping away and the gotta do’s poke their way to the front of our brains, it’s time to stop and fear not. Then it’s time to do what the angels did: sing a song of joy.

Once we focus on Jesus first and others second, we may be surprised how the third slips silently into place...

...enabling us to sing a song of J.O.Y.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please remind us that when we want JOY in our lives, we must put Jesus first. Help us to find the only true joy that is because of you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How can you find joy today?

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Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “joy.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.