Choose JoySample

DAY 30 - OVERFLOWING JOY

Reflection: We don’t usually associate joy and happiness with severe trials and extreme poverty. Those of us who live in a world of plenty, when measured against historic and global standards, have been conditioned to expect joy when we have more, and to be glad of heart when we are comfortable.

But the message of Jesus has always turned things on their head. Turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, greatest is the servant, first will be last, gain the world and lose your soul, love not only your friends but your enemies.

Deep down, we know that what seems upside down about the kingdom Jesus’ brings is very much right side up. But still we cling to our things. And so it seems did the Corinthian church, of which some members may have been reasonably well-off compared to others.

So Paul highlights the example of the Macedonian churches who are doing it tough, but doing it well. Notice the source of their spiritual success – ‘grace that God has given’, ‘overflowing joy’, ‘rich generosity' (2 Corinthians 8:1,2 NIV).

It’s possible for joy to overflow in even the hardest of times when it is birthed by grace, the unmerited favour gifted by God. And how do we access this grace and its overflowing joy? We trust in his goodness, express joy as generosity, and live beyond our ability, but not beyond his.

Choose joy: Losing touch with joy? Rediscover generosity. Serve, give, anyhow you can.