Advent Joy

This past Sunday at church my pastor talked about joy. While I usually take something out of his sermons, this one really spoke to my heart. It is so easy to lose sight of joy, especially when you have daily challenges that make you feel like all you can do is suffer. The good news is that joy is available to everyone.

“The joy available to us isn’t exclusively found in the things Jesus has done or will do for us. Joy is also found in simply recognizing who He is and when He’s near.” (courtesy of Adam Russell) To hear the full sermon – which is soooo worth it – I totally encourage you to do so – click here.

In Luke 1:44 Elizabeth says “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

Jesus didn’t do anything. There was no miracle, no healing, no proof…his mother just walked in the room – Him in her womb – and joy arose. He doesn’t have to do anything because joy is in Him.

Joy is a now thing. It’s not later, after everything is over. It is now. When you express joy it grows. It is not subtle, but is loud.

Sometimes it is hard to feel Jesus because we are unaware of him. But we need to be aware of Him. If we open out minds and hearts we will see Him, we need to see Him.

Joy is part of the process, not the outcome.

Something I am struggling with right now is how serious I am and can be, especially if I am dealing with something that is painful or difficult. *Serious is not a fruit of the spirit*

That really hit home to me on Sunday.

I wish you the greatest blessings and joy my dear readers. I hope you become aware of Jesus and can feel the joy that abounds with Him.

What are your thoughts?