Make It AwkwardSample

Day 5: Enjoy the Joy

Verse: “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:8-11, NIV).

Devotional: For too long, we’ve lived afraid, fending for ourselves and letting fear dictate our lives. But anxiety was never meant to be our guide. It may have protected us in moments, but it has also built walls that kept joy out. To be absorbed by joy means releasing the constant need to control, defend and strive.

We’ve bought the lie that if certain things in our life were different, then we could relax and enjoy ourselves. But you don’t actually need to buy that red-light mask, to upgrade your kitchen, or for your kid to “make good choices” to be filled with joy. Joy is a relief. It is enjoying the small things, and it is a defiant resistance to darkness. It’s time to enjoy the joy.

Challenge: Will you choose to step away from fear and reclaim the simple, unfiltered joy waiting for you? Today, do one small thing solely to experience joy. It might be savoring your morning coffee, noticing the beauty of an oak swaying in the wind or spending quality time with a loved one — without distractions or expectations.

Conclusion: As you step into the next year, dare to embrace the awkward and the vulnerable in every moment. Let each day be a deliberate choice to cast aside the need for perfection, knowing that when you live authentically — when you own your story, speak kindness, act in faith and choose joy — God uses your life to touch others and transform communities. Make it awkward. Make it real. And watch how your life overflows with God’s love and purpose for you.