Joy in the Journey!
"Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" ~ Philippians 4:4
"Be joyful always." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16
As I began to pray about what the Lord wanted me to share with you today, the word JOY kept echoing in my spirit. I tried to ignore it at first, but then decided that the Lord was whispering it to the deepest part of my soul. Sometimes when you have been in the desert, it is difficult to choose joy. However, I believe that as Christians, it is not optional. We were created for God's pleasure - His joy! Lori Salierno, one of my favorite speakers, states, "Joy is the evidence of His presence in your life." This statement is so true. For you see, when Christ takes up residency in your heart and you allow His Spirit to flow through you, joy will come! Joy is one of the character qualities of the fruit of the Spirit. (Galations 5:22-23) This is a deep seated, incredible, unbelievable, unspeakabe joy! It is a confidence in knowing that God is in control of our lives. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) He is all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent), and ever present (omnipresent). We can trust Him with every detail of our lives. We can conquer every situation through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13) and do so with joy!
The Greek word for joy is Chara meaning, "joy, rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment, bliss." It is a word that means "to celebrate!" Now I know what you are thinking, how can I be joyful in the midst of such pain? The joy I am talking about we can only have through Jesus Christ. It is a deep, abiding joy that we have in knowing that no matter what life gives us, we belong to Jesus. His Spirit is in us and we have hope. We know that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9) and that He is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).We have joy in Jesus Christ! The joy of the LORD is our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10b) Because of God's saving grace and presence in our life we have every reason to celebrate!
I understand that sometimes we feel as though we have lost our joy. I know because I have been in this very place. But sweet sisters, do not let the enemy deceive you with this lie. Sometimes we feel no joy because we are weary from the journey. We have poured out more than we have taken in. Remember, Jesus is our joy! His presence in our lives is where our joy comes from.
I mentioned Lori earlier and her ministry (Celebrate Life International). I will never forget a message she shared on this at a women's conference that I attended in 2006. She read the passage in 1 Kings 19:1-9 when Elijah was exhausted and afraid. He ran from the Lord, hid under a broom tree and prayed to die. He was running from his circumstances instead of running to God. She also shared from Habakkuk 3:17-18. I love verse 18 which says, "yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." I will always remember this important point. . . the "yet & in!" No matter what the situation or circumstance, we will "yet" rejoice "in" the LORD! It doesn't mean that we won't grieve, hurt, or question, but we can rejoice in the fact that we know Christ. He understands our hurts, our loneliness, our grief and our weariness. Tell him what you are struggling with today. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Allow Christ to lift your burden and renew your joy.
I mentioned Lori earlier and her ministry (Celebrate Life International). I will never forget a message she shared on this at a women's conference that I attended in 2006. She read the passage in 1 Kings 19:1-9 when Elijah was exhausted and afraid. He ran from the Lord, hid under a broom tree and prayed to die. He was running from his circumstances instead of running to God. She also shared from Habakkuk 3:17-18. I love verse 18 which says, "yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." I will always remember this important point. . . the "yet & in!" No matter what the situation or circumstance, we will "yet" rejoice "in" the LORD! It doesn't mean that we won't grieve, hurt, or question, but we can rejoice in the fact that we know Christ. He understands our hurts, our loneliness, our grief and our weariness. Tell him what you are struggling with today. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Allow Christ to lift your burden and renew your joy.
Christians should be the most joyful people in the world. A quote that truly convicted my heart was this, "Cold and dead saints who do not enjoy this life lead people to hell, because people turn away from God when they see no joy in those who claim to walk with Him."(Tony Campolo). Lord, forgive me when I have not reflected your joy to those around me. My desire is to radiate with joy, regardless of my circumstance. I pray that others will know there is a difference in the Spirit-filled life. Help my face to illuminate this deep seated, incredible joy that I have because of you!
What about you? Do you feel as though you have lost your joy? Spend some time today and allow His presence to permeate your being and search for that deep seated joy. I love you and I am praying for you.
Remembering the "yet" & "in" with you,
Elisabeth
4 Response to Joy in the Journey!
Just a note. I am going to be traveling tomorrow. I will be in the airport all day and it may be late before I can post. Thank you for your patience. Also, please be praying for me as my son leaves to go back to college tomorrow. Thanks so much Journey Girls!! Love you all!
I am not a believer in coincidence. My husband once preached that, "Coincidence is simply evidence of God's work in your life." So, my spiritual "ears" perked up when I read Elisabeth's section above on Elijah running from God in I Kings. The reason my "ears" perked up is because I just read this passage recently, and prayed about it! This passage happened during an intense time of serving God in Elijah's life, and he didn't understand how things could go so wrong when he was doing what God had asked him to do. He had lost his "joy", too, so to speak, and fear had set in.
But, there were some significant findings in Elijah's story. 1) God came to minister to him. Elijah prayed to die, but because God was not finished with Elijah's ministry, He knew that Elijah needed this time to "reboot". God sent an angel to provide much needed food and water during while God allowed him to get some much needed rest. This shows just how in tune God is with our needs, even in times of discouragement. He wants to take care of our basic needs in addition to our spiritual needs.
2) God showed Himself to Elijah during this time. I believe this was an attempt to remind Elijah just how much more powerful He was than Elijah's current circumstances in his ministry. Elijah was fearful for his life, and needed this reminder of His power. After all of the dramatic natural occurrences that took place, though, it was only through God's whisper that Elijah came returned to finish his conversation with the Lord.
And, 3) God didn't chastise him for running and hiding. Instead, He told him to go back, but provided an assistant, Elisha, to help alongside Elijah's ministry. This was the point that really stuck with me. And here's why...
After being in the "ministry" all of my life (Elisabeth will understand this completely), first as a preacher's kid, and now as a preacher's wife of almost 18 years, the past few years I've felt my joy diminishing. Difficult circumstances and feelings of self-pity (always ministering to others, but never being ministered to) had seemed to suck Christ's joy right out of my life. But, after studying this era of Elijah's life a few weeks ago, I prayed fervently to God about this. In my heart, I knew there was much more to do for Him. I just didn't feel adequate any longer. I prayed for Christian friends to come alongside and help restore that desire to continue on.
I believe that this study today proved that God has answered that prayer through "Servant Girl's Heart"! He has not only provided one person to walk alongside and encourage, but all of you!
Thank you, Lord!! You always give us much more than we imagine or deserve! And, restore my joy, Jesus. Renew that inner compassion for Your work and Your people within me. Amen.
Jewelie,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! Awesome!! I love this passage & I love what you shared. It really spoke to me. I completely understand how you have been feeling. I've been in that same place too. I'm so happy that I have you & all the other journey girls to help me along the way.
I am praying too for a renewed inner passion, for a renewed joy and for a healing that only Jesus can give.
I love you Jewelie and I am praying for you daily. God is doing awesome things through you and He has much to do in and through you in 2010. I'm praising Him for His Spirit's moving in our lives.
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