Thinking about Joy

Our worship service focused on joy and the news of the devastation from Saturday’s series of tornadoes really brought home the message that joy is not a result of our circumstances, but our response to those circumstances. The video of Jordan Baize playing “There’s just Something about that Name” on his piano in his destroyed home was inspiring to me. It made me consider how I respond to much less serious problems. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can find it here. In difficult times, it’s important to focus on the eternal instead of those things that pass.

In no way do I want to minimize the nature of this tragedy, nor do I want to ignore the reality of the sorrow and tragedies in our own lives as well. Choosing joy isn’t diminishing those events. It’s deciding how we will respond. In response to the devastation of the storms, I would encourage you to look for opportunities to give in support of the relief and restoration efforts.

You may have heard that First Christian Church in Mayfield, KY was destroyed. What you may not have heard is that they held a service yesterday in their parking lot. You can hear this story here. The members and minister speak about resilience, and then another man whose house was destroyed, talked about being moved by the offers of assistance. His comment was that “seeing the love of Jesus pour out of people” brought him to tears. It reminds me of what our Advent series is about—making sure that our speech is seasoned with hope, love, joy, and peace. May we speak words of comfort not conflict in this blessed time.

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday Micah 5:1-6—What images are used here to indicate the coming of the Messiah?

Isaiah 7:10-17—What similarities do you notice between this prophecy and the prophecy of Micah 5?

John 14:22-31—What do you think it means that Jesus has given us peace, but not as the world gives?

Ephesians 2:11-22—Make a list of some of the areas of your life or areas of the world where Jesus’ peace is needed?