DO YOU HAVE JOY?

Photo by Michael Payne on Unsplash

By nature, I’m not a spontaneously joyful person. I’m a musician - an artist, and melancholy used to rule my demeanor. I desired that my surroundings be in harmony, so space, color, and objects influenced my disposition.

However, over the years as wife, mother, missionary, and preacher in the world, God has taught me that melancholy does not serve me well. What does serve me well is solitude and silence in Christ’s presence, humbly submitting to His will. Joy follows quickly.

The example of Mary, mother of Jesus, invites us to meditate on her situation. Although young, Mary obviously knew the scriptures, since her Song of Joy (Luke 1.46-55) is based on Hannah’s Praise (1 Samuel 2.1-10). Mary asked intelligent questions of the Angel Gabriel. He answered her, cementing his divine words with encouragement. He told her of Elizabeth, her relative, who, miraculously, was also pregnant! Faith surged forward in Mary’s response, “I am the Lord’s servant,” and she headed out for Elizabeth’s house. There, she rejoiced:

At what time of day

Did joy emerge,

From Mary’s young frame,

In Holy breath submerged?

Perhaps ’twas midday

When her praise rang out;

Faith - sight unseen,

She declared without doubt:

True justice of God

Her salvation secure - She submitted to God;

Birthed The Child that endured.

Something to ponder:

1. How do you encourage faith in your life? Consider the people, the spaces, the readings that encourage faith in you.

2. Think of a time when faith arose, and soon joy followed. Journal about this.

Loving Father, we praise You for Your Word and Your presence which bring us deep joy. Help us to immerse ourselves more and more in Your wells of rejoicing. Amen.