Let Joy into your Heart

What does joy mean to you?

A few weeks ago my family had an opportunity to drive up to Mount Charleston.  It was a hot day in the valley, and it was so refreshing to take the kids somewhere that wasn’t 110 degrees! 

 

We had a super fun trip playing in a little stream and wandering through the forest. One of the most memorable moments came soon after we arrived.  We got out of the car, and our one year old son just started saying, “Wow!” He doesn’t know very many words, but at that moment he just wanted to express the wonder and awe he felt in his heart!

As we grow older, I know there are times we push our feelings down.  Nothing surprises us.  We can find ourselves living through another hot day wishing we were somewhere else.  We complain. We get frustrated, and we do it all again tomorrow.  However, this week we are talking about joy.  Joy can break into our lives at any moment.  We don’t need to wait for Christmas, Easter, or whenever this pandemic ends.  Joy is present all around us if we open our hearts to God’s Grace. 

Today I hope you can feel the wonder and awe of the moment.  Sure, it is easy to find things to complain about.  That list is never ending… However, God promises that Joy is present.  Have you taken time to say thank you?  Perhaps you can step back and just say, “Wow!”

Blessings!

Brian

Where is love leading you?

Love is an amazing thing…

Love can give us hope in the darkest moments.  Love gives us joy that surpasses all understanding.  Love is also present in our tears.  When we lose someone we care about, love is there.  When our preschooler heads off to kindergarten, love is there… (Now if school is canceled because of Covid-19, I might become a little less sentimental about getting my preschooler out of the house. However, love does have incredible power! :)

Love allows us to experience empathy, and this is an incredible thing.  Empathy allows us to love our neighbor in real ways, but this is not always easy.  The same compassion that gives us joy also leads us into the hurts and sorrows of others. 

In the Gospel of John 11:35-36, the Bible says Jesus grieved with his followers when someone he loved died:

Jesus wept.

Then the people said, “See how he loved him!”

I have always felt that this was a powerful verse…  It shows how deeply Jesus loved his followers, and it shows how deeply He loves us. Christ’s love is not just some academic or theoretical thing.  Jesus loves us in a meaningful way.  There is no failure, fear, or disappointment that can separate us from God.

Today I hope you can all take a bit of time to trust the love God has given you.  May you recognize that you are loved just as you are.  May you also take time to let love break into your hearts.  Let’s stop the judgment and open our hearts to something much bigger!

Blessings!

Brian