Finding Joy?

There have been many things that I have loved since moving to Round Rock and working at St. Philip’s United Methodist Church, but one of the many that stand out is a practice that we do in staff meeting every Tuesday morning. We start every staff meeting with a question:

“Where are you finding Joy?”

Now at first I thought it was a neat way to start, but now that I think about it, it is a practice of soul care that deeply love. There is so much going on in our lives and the world spews such negativity at us that we don’t take a moment to really think about this. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says:

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Rejoice Always.

Pray Continually.

Give thanks in EVERY SITUATION

I don’t know about you but I don’t necessarily like this passage all the time. I find it annoying at times, because sometimes I just don’t want to be thankful or be joyful.

Have you ever felt that way?

Hear the Good News! Jesus our Christ loves us unconditionally and when you have times where you are annoyed, frustrated, and just don’t want to feel joyful that’s ok. Christ still loves you for you!

I would challenge however that when you feel this way to look around you, because God is doing amazing things all around you! Even during the annoying times God presence and His love and grace are ACTIVE AND ALIVE IN YOU!

May God always guide us to be mindful of our joy!

Amen.

One Reply to “Finding Joy?”

  1. Brad, I really appreciate your blog post on Joy. It is something that I needed to read and an issue that I have been struggling a lot with lately. Someone suggested to me to make a daily list of things I am thankful for as well. I know that these are good ideas but true transformation of the mind can only come when I place these ideas into practice. – John Nader

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