Today is the third Sunday of Advent. The theme for today is joy. Plain and simple, do you have joy? Speaking personally, I am not feeling very joyful at this very moment. During the course of the last week, I have been overly consumed with the cares and concerns of work, as well as grieving the loss of a family friend and childhood mentor. And to top it all off, I just learned that another elder in my childhood church has passed away this morning. So, pardon me if I don't belt out the final stanza of "Joy to the world!"
As stunned as I am about these losses, and other issues and concerns of life, the love of Christ still illuminates and shines in my heart. I may not feel very joyful, but on this third Sunday of Advent, we are reminded that Christ's first coming has brought both joy and salvation to the lives of a group of hopeless people. Joy is also a fruit of the spirit. Even though the holidays may cause us to feel sad and lonely about the loss of loved ones, it is up to us to tap into our joy source. What's impeding your joy may not be the same as mine. You may be unemployed, uncommitted to that special someone, feeling inadequate or not good enough. However we are all walking in some shadow of darkness, despair and doubt. It is time to speak to the barren, desolate and abandoned situations in our lives that are bogging us down.
We've had our pity parties, and Debbie Downer moments, now it's time to think of the goodness of Jesus and how he has kept us through the year, at times when we didn't even want to be kept. It is time that the joy of Lord strengthen and encourage you. Let joy light your path as you walk through the valleys and the shadows of uncertainty. Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Got joy?
Peace,
Karsten
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