ONE WORD?
If I were to ask you to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be? Don’t overthink it. What is the first thing that comes to your mind. What one word would you like to be remembered by? If you are having some trouble with this, welcome to the club. For the life of me I can’t come up with just one word. I did, however, manage to narrow it down to two – Love and Joy!
Our Lord talked a lot about love. In fact when he was asked what the greatest commandment was, he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27). And – “Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) So, I would like to be remembered by my love for sure.
But I would also like to be remembered by my joy. Our Heavenly Father wants to fill us with joy. And not just any run-of-the-mill joy – HIS joy! We are told in I Peter 1:8: "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy "
Jesus says that He pours His joy into us so that our joy may be complete. Complete and total joy – that seems so amazing – because it is! Jesus pours so much joy into us that our joy is complete, full, and fills all of the empty spaces and gaps! Joy in spite of our circumstances! Joy in the hard times as well as the good times!
So, for me it is impossible to separate Love and Joy. Because of the great love that our Father has for us, we are able to experience joy that is unspeakable and full of glory!
So, every day, let’s try to focus on the great love of our Father – a love that brings us amazing joy!
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the love you give us every day. May we always share that love and may we be running over with the joy that your love gives us. Amen.
Pastor Ruth
