Countdown to Christmas: December 7, 2023

JOY to the world, right? Are you feeling it? Maybe not. But maybe that's because it's the place where you have fixed your focus rather than the place from which you have come. I mean, I get it: if you want to hit the ball, your eye has to be on the ball; if you want to achieve a goal, you have to work toward that goal, right? But joy, when it's the object of the game seems to come up short. Joy seems to be a byproduct of a much greater thing.

Since I was a kid, I've heard that if you want to have joy, you have to order your priorities in such a way that Jesus' glory --love for, obedience and service to Him --comes above all else. Then, love for and service to others follows. Coming in dead last is love of self, gratification of our own wants, self-service. Jesus. Others. You. Joy comes as a result of sacrifice. Joy looks back to commitments kept and difficulties endured and says, By God's grace, I made it, and I am better for it. Joy says, I didn't want to do things that way, but the reward is greater than I could ever imagine. Joy is found at the end of sacrifice. Have you ever shown love or mercy toward someone, perhaps someone who has underappreciated your efforts? Have you done that hard thing, forgiven someone who has clearly wronged you? Joy comes at the end of that. As a matter of fact, joy comes at the end of the "extra mile." 

In Matthew 5, Jesus tells those who would follow Him to be different, be exceptional, go above and beyond for those around us. In so doing, we will bring the Light of Heaven to a dark world and imitate our Father in His perfection. Our standards of conduct are to be better than the norm: Not only will I not swear, I won't even use those words we think are innocent, words like "shucks" or "dang." Joy comes when our goal is to obey Jesus' moral code, not aspire to mere social acceptance. 

As with many aspects of Christian life, joy is a paradox: found in sorrows and in mourning with others. Joy is found by being the lowest in our communities, the most willing to do menial tasks in service to others and in service to our King. Joy is found by being merciful and making peace. Joy is found even when we are persecuted for who we are. And it is not only found in unlikely places but joy itself yields unlikely results: joy becomes the rock on which we stand, the foundation for the next selfless thing we will do or the next difficult thing we will endure. Joy becomes a weapon against corruption and darkness and pain. Joy stops the fight that wishes to continue. Joy strengthens those who feel as though they just can't go on. Joy transforms hearts by its humility and transforms nations by its ferocity. Joy has unlikely origins and yields unlikely results. Joy once filled a blackened sky with good tidings and the light of the heavenly host, invited lowly shepherds to the birth of creation's King, and placed a cross at center stage for God's plan of salvation. Joy shouts the triumphant news He is alive! and those who seek Him will spend eternity with Him.

JOY to the world!