Faith along the way

It’s that wonderful time of year, that busy time of year…it’s Christmas! In just 2 short weeks, it will be over. My how time flies. When I think about this time of year, joy comes to mind. People seem more festive, joyous, cheery…for the most part. Christmas brings those wonderful times spent with family, eating scrumptious food, picking out the perfect present for special loved ones, caroling, tree decorating, drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows, of course…I could go on and on. So many wonderful things! So many joyful things! Most importantly, we celebrate the birth of our Savior. That is the real reason we celebrate.

I have to wonder, though, about true joy. How do we keep our joy after the holiday season ends, when those Christmas bills come in, when our family goes back home, when those scrumptious foods have caused us to gain 5 pounds, when things go back to the normal routine. Where is the joy then?

Scripture is filled with verses regarding joy. If you look in the concordance in the back of your Bible, you will see many references to joy. I’m listing a few below.

• Psalm 43 is a prayer to God in times of trouble and verse 4 references God as “my exceeding joy”.
• “You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore”. Psalm 16:11 NKJV
• In the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7, verse 7 speaks of the joy in heaven when one sinner repents.
• John 15:9-11 tells us His joy remains in us and our joy will be full when we keep the Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
• John 17 finds Jesus praying to the Father and verse 13 says “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” NKJV
• “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. NKJV
• “And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.” Psalm 35:9 NKJV

These are just a few Scripture references and there are many more, but none of the Scriptures say joy comes from material things, our jobs, people around us, circumstances, accolades, etc. Joy, true joy, comes from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. True joy…not conditional joy, joy even through difficult trials and tough situations, but true joy. Abiding in Him brings true joy.

I encourage you as you navigate this Christmas holiday season, the upcoming new year, that difficult circumstance you may be dealing with, whatever is thrown in your path in the days ahead, to focus on the Lord, spend time daily reading His Word, and spend time in prayer with Him. He will make your joy complete.

Merry Christmas and blessings to you,

Jackie

*Scripture taken from the New King James version. Copywrite 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.