Got Joy Yet
Got Joy Yet?
“Joy to the World, the Lord has come…” It is playing on the radio, we sing it in church and hum it as we cook dinner. But… where is our joy? Are you feeling joyful, filled with joy this holiday season? Or, are you feeling stressed, exhausted, and discouraged? Got joy yet?
We lose site of our joy when we focus on all the wrong things – like our current circumstances, our disappointments and our unanswered questions. I don’t think I know anyone who could say, this has been the best year ever! But, I do know a lot of people – me included, who would say this year has been more challenging than most.
So, after a year like this – how do we take our eyes off of our struggles and instead find joy in the midst of all this chaos? (True story… As I was typing this question, Pandora was playing in the background and this is what I heard… Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. There you go. There is the answer. Do you think that was a coincidence? I don’t.) The way we experience joy right now – even in the midst of uncertain times – is we turn our eyes upon Jesus and we sing out loud, Joy to the World, the Lord has come!
We are just days away from celebrating the birth of our Savior, the One who came to be the sacrifice for our sin, the One who would be the only example we are to follow, the One who would suffer for us, the One who would be resurrected and live in our heart until we stand face to face with Him, the One who has gone to prepare a place for us, the One who will return to get us soon, oh very soon. You see… that is why we have Joy! We are fully known. God knows every sin, every shortcoming, every failure, every time we have turned away from Him or put something before Him. Yet, He loves us so… so much that He sent His only Son to pay the ransom for me and for you. Got joy yet? If you know Jesus… if you have accepted Him as your Savior.. you can have joy, oh what great joy!!
No matter our circumstances, no matter how difficult this crazy year has been, regardless of what the new year will bring, we have Jesus! Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Oh… what if God had not sent His Son, what if we did not know Him, oh how dark our lives would be! But God… He has given us everything we need. He has given us Love. He has given us Jesus. He has given us Hope. He has given us Peace. He has given us Joy, great Joy!!!
In John 15:11 Jesus is speaking and tells us, “My joy may remain in you, and your joy may be full.” This describes a believer’s experience of Jesus’ love for us; complete joy. May your joy be full! Be joyful and celebrate big! Love came down on Christmas morning; nothing matters more than that. Share your joy for all the world to see.
JOY! Joy to the world, the Lord has come…
A word from Pam….
Hi friends! Thank you for reading this post. Since my last blog post, I received the heartbreaking news that what I have done for 23 years was ending. Premier Designs / DVTD® is going out of business. I have shed many tears as this incredible journey comes to a close. I will miss so much, so my heart hurts. Yet - I am so grateful for all that my I have learned, all that I have experienced and the precious relationships this journey brought into my life. Although I have tears, although the income I depended on is gone, although I don’t have a clear picture of the future - what I do have is peace, joy and an overwhelming desire to say YES to God and whatever His plan for me might be.
Will you join me in prayer? Will you pray for clear direction for me and Tom? And… will you pray for the courage to be bold and to walk in complete obedience to Him, regardless of others’ opinions or “well meaning” comments. ;-) Will you stay connected to me? I believe that God has brought us together for a purpose. Will you consider inviting others to follow me on FB & Instagram? Will you encourage others to subscribe to my blog and my newsletter? Will you join my FB group?
I have no words to express have honored I am to get to chat with you. We need one another to keep nudging each other to look up and keep moving forward in our relationship with Jesus. If you are looking for a resource to help you grow more intimate with Him, check out my book, Saved by Grace, Now What? It is available on the MWM Marketplace along with some pretty cute faith based tees.
Also, help me finish strong and shop my It Matters Marketplace where every product purchased prompts a donation to an incredible cause and YOU earn REWARDS. You can save 30% on orders $50+ Plus, there is FREE shipping on $75 orders until 12/31 and then the doors close forever. Hop over there and check it out.
Have a great rest of the week!
I love you and am thankful you are here.
P