Share Joy
Hello Family, Happy New Year! Whether you’re relieved the old year is over, excited about a fresh start or a little of both you have a reason to praise and a testimony to go with it. And that is a reason to share joy!
In the first two parts of our JOY series, Jannie & I shared how to Find Joy that's already inside you and reminded you that to Choose Joy you have to surrender to God's will and His plans.
But how can we share JOY?
“Fear not!” Those words the angels announced in Hebrews 2:10 were to calm the shepherds’ fear. And then, “behold” or take a minute, listen to focus. Not on the messenger or the delivery system but on the message. Can you remember your reaction the last time you received good news? No, great news. Did your attitude change? Did your outlook change? Did you share it? The good news the angels delivered was intended for all people, it was meant to be shared. And, it still needs to be shared.
So, how can we share joy amid real-life, the life behind our picture perfect FB/IG posts? I won’t pretend to have a perfect answer for you, we are all different and at different places. But what I want to share are two more practical things you can do to help you find, choose, and share joy.
#1 Share what you have and where you are with God. Just take it to Him. Yes, He already knows but this is an act of surrender on your part. Just as we had to accept Christ in our lives we also have to 1) accept God’s help, 2) acknowledge that “He can,” and 3) accept His help on His terms, 4) expect His answer but don’t lose sight of what He’s already given you to do until then.
#2 Live for God. Maybe this is just a reminder for you. If so, here’s your (and my) challenge. Keep this in the front of your mind… all day! Ahead of what your kids did that made you question their sanity or your own. Ahead of what your spouse did or didn’t do today or ever. Ahead of the neighbor situation, the political climate, your biggest disappointment, the crazy drivers, the inconsiderate person who “fill-in,” and this is important… ahead of how you “feel.” No, I’m not telling you to ignore any of it or discount how you feel.
I’m challenging you to talk to God about 1) your first response to any of it, 2) how to live through all of it, AND 3) how and when to share your story for His purpose.
#3 Share your story.
That night the angels came and shared the good news of Christ's birth and it was to bring JOY to all.
Family, as Christians we live in what happened next! After the blessing of Christ’s birth. We are living out the impact of His life, the grace of His death, and the power of His resurrection!
We have been reborn and our relationship with our Heavenly Father restored. We have been given a Helper, the Holy Spirit, and the power to accomplish or overcome things we could not do alone.
No matter what your past year or life was like... it is in your past. God is the only one that has already planned and established your future. (Jeremiah 29:11 & Ephesians 2:10) Trust Him.
We encourage you to make 2020 a year of renewed focus living for God!”
Lead with that and JOY (and everything else) will follow.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for the greatest gift I can ever receive. Thank you for sending your precious Son Jesus to live, die, and rise all to pay a debt I could never repay. Lord, thank you for bringing me to this point and not leaving me where I was. Lord, thank you for each day ahead that you have numbered for my life. Lord my joy is in you. Let me learn to choose joy and help me share joy with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen”