Unspeakable Joy

"Joy, not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. We need to be light-hearted in what we do to avoid taking ourselves too seriously. It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride."

- Richard Foster

A fraser fir and a white spruce both look like a Christmas tree on the outside, but they're a bit different on the inside. The former smells like a classic tree while the latter smells like cat pee. There is a similar difference between joy and happiness. While both words involve the emotions, are pleasurable feelings, and look similar; one is dependent on external circumstances while the other flows from within.

Joy is the ability to respond to external circumstances with an inner sense of contentment, restful trust in God, and a delightful anticipation of God's work in our lives (and world.) This is something that can only come from God, is produced by the Holy Spirit.

In Gabriel's message to Zechariah, we see how we can take joy in a God who hears past prayers, speaks into present circumstances, and prepares an incredible future. We can be tempted to react to situations in life with an insecure doubt of God's love for us. This week, take some time in quiet reflection and silently consider where you have difficultly experiencing the joy of the Lord in your life. As you're ready, talk with God about what comes to mind and lean into what He invites you into.