STIR UP JOY
From: Ron Hawks
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law…Galatians 5:22-23.”
In Boston, it’s sometimes hard to get eye contact from others. Many seem preoccupied, most do not seem happy – at least their faces are not exuding very positive feelings. This driven city can press and tempt people to feel as if they don’t measure up and are somehow behind. It “tells” people that if they tried a little harder they might meet the imaginary standards that are floating in the atmosphere. Praise God, we do not have to live under such emotional and spiritual slave masters!
We have been set free from the standards upon which many try to build their sense of worth. We have been forgiven in Christ, we are loved by the Father and the Spirit of God dwells in us! We must be careful, however, to remember who we are in the triune God.
“Now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” (Galatians 4:9) “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) Human standards (sometimes empowered by evil forces) can have the appearance of wisdom and strength, but they lack God’s presence and real power.
Rather than seeking approval and validation from others, we would do best to receive our identity in Jesus. In Christ, our future is full of hope. In Christ, our identity is eternal and cannot be shaken. In Christ, we can have joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit within us. (Galatians 5:22). His joy dwells in us! We can rejoice (and be joyful) always. (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Joy is accessible because our joy is in the Lord. So, it’s OK to be joyful … all the time. Your joy is not imprisoned by your circumstances; it’s founded upon God’s presence and your hope in His future for you. It is good and right for your face to show the joy that is in your heart. So, smile Boston and all of creation the Lord your God is present, and He is mighty to save and give you hope for the future. Allow the joy of the Lord to put a smile on your face today!
Smiling with you,
Pastor Tom