Week 3, Sunday – December 17th
I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.
Isaiah 61:10a, NAB
During my last conversation with my oldest sister, she lie in bed sapped of physical strength, enduring pain without pause, and speaking to me of joy. Joy. She held my hand and told me how important joy was to life. She begged me to guard and grow joy for myself and my children. My spirit was weighed down with grief. There was no cheerfulness in that room. Sadness saturated my heart. And still we spoke of joy.
I’m not sure anything could have been more effective in deepening my understanding of joy; of what it is and what it is not.
Mary had joy in her soul while she waited to know if Joseph would marry her or call for her to be stoned for her pregnancy. Paul had joy in his soul while he endured prison. Pope John Paul II had joy while he hid his priestly ministries from the communist authorities in Poland. Mother Teresa had joy while she was surrounded by endless, unquenchable needs of the ill and impoverished in Calcutta. My sister had joy while cancer stole away the years we all expected her to have on this earth.
God plants joy in the soul, and nurtures it there through the work of the Holy Spirit. Moments of goodness strengthen it, but only God is its true source. It is not an emotion or a state of mind dependent on circumstances.
Joy stands alongside the hope of salvation and the peace of Christ as the pillars of the temple of my soul. It is the condition I can exist in through every storm of suffering. Then in the shining times of happiness, it is the spotlight of perspective. Whether in shadow or sunshine, I have Jesus. I have eternity in the presence of God waiting for me. Therein lies lasting joy.
This third week of Advent is traditionally dedicated to joy. The arrival of Jesus is the arrival of joy in a brand new way. All the many and varied bits of joyfulness God provides are surpassed by the gift of His Son.
When I am exhausted by the work of this season, Lord, anchor me in the abundant joy of Christmas.
When I have reason to smile, Lord, spread the roots of Your joy in my soul.
When my mouth and ears fill with laughter, Lord, let it water the fruit of joy.
When suffering comes my way, Lord, sustain me with the joy of Your promises.
When I am mistreated or rejected, Lord, remind me I am secure in the joy of knowing You.
When I encounter others’ need for You, Lord, make my soul’s joy into a light leading them to You.
Carrie In Writing 