joy.

Joy.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you read that word?

It's no secret that 2020 has been difficult for everyone. I know I started out this year hopeful and full of joy, and deciding that my word for the year would be "celebrate". I know you probably felt the same way- a new year, new hope, and some people were even calling it the "roaring twenties" again. The funny thing is, every single celebration that was planned for the year was cancelled. And in place of celebration, there was disappointment, confusion, and then ultimately heartbreak. How un-roaring twenties, amirite? I'm sure you can relate in some way, whether it was your job, injustice, a relationship, sickness, shower, or finances.

And then scripture tells us to "rejoice always".

Um.

Rejoice? Now...?

Rejoice when my heart was broken, when I had to move cities, change jobs, call off a wedding, and had no idea the direction I was heading in upcoming months? In the middle of a pandemic in a country that is extremely divided against itself? (Y'all didn't think I was going to get that real, did you? I promise there's a good ending though)

Yes.

Rejoice, always.

I'm reminded of the verse that says "the Lord works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

And also,

"Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. For you know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

These are the promises of God. He tells us that if you're a believer, in this life you will have trouble and suffering. It's not an if, but a when. But when we are in the midst of the fire, we're not alone. He is there with us, enduring right next to us.

So nothing is wasted. Not the barren season you are in where you feel like you are stuck, and not the plans you thought would work out but ultimately failed.

It's in the fire that we are molded and refined into who God is making us to be. And I've found that there are two ways of trying to survive the fire- to avoid, and to endure.

You can avoid the pain of what you're suffering through by running elsewhere- your phone, your job, another relationship, another drink, or countless other things to try to distract yourself and fill your heart where you are longing to feel whole again.

Or, you can run to the Father. Lean back into His presence with open hands and admit that you can't rely on yourself anymore, and let your community surround you and speak truth over you.

The second option is harder. It requires vulnerability and ultimately humility to admit that things aren't going great and you need people going to battle for you. But the reward is so much greater.

Jesus says in John 4:14 that if we drink from his well of living water, we will never be thirsty again. It's been taking me literal years to process this statement because I still struggle with running to other things to fill me up that are not Him. But maybe He means when you do come to Him, you won't thirst anymore. Not a one-time thing, but coming to Him daily. Practically, this looks like opening up the word and reading a chapter. I've never sat still and read and not felt peace + joy after!

The question isn't "Is God still good?" or even "Does God even care about my life anymore?"

If He wasn't good, then He would not have left heaven to live the human life and endure every temptation and pain that we also experience without sinning and then die a brutal death on a cross in order to have a relationship with us.

He cares so much that He brought heaven down to us so that we wouldn't have to do anything to earn our own salvation; He did it all for us. Because He loves us and cherishes us. He even says he delights in us! (psalm 18:19)

Paul says it this way: "For I consider that our present troubles and suffering are far outweighed by the eternal glory that is to come"

So we can have joy that this isn't all there is. Joy that we have a God who loves us and knows us deeply and wants good for your life. Joy that he delights in us. Joy that He is making everything beautiful in its time, and we can rejoice because He is good. So in the present and preparing for whatever the next season holds, choose joy.

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again- rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:4-7