Brave Woman, Mighty GodSample

Jump for Joy

Somewhere along the road I learned to tamp down my joy. Dismiss it. Not get my hopes up. Yuck! Why?

Shouldn’t we always catch joy when it comes our way?

Sadly, so many of us aren’t fully experiencing the joy Jesus has for us.

But when I think of joy, I want to embrace it, savor it, hold on to it. You?

Elizabeth in the Bible shows us how it’s done. Elizabeth struggled with infertility. That could be painful, traumatic, and heartbreaking for anyone, but in the Middle East over two thousand years ago, culture considered a woman who was unable to produce heirs practically worthless.

Then it all changed. The angel Gabriel announced Elizabeth and her husband were going to have a baby who “will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:14-15).

What did Elizabeth do with this joy handed to her on a platter? What did she say?

“I’ll believe it when the baby is born.”

Nope.

“I’m too old for this.”

Nope.

“I’ve been through way too much hurt to even think about it.”

Uh-uh.

Instead, “she went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. ‘So, this is

how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!’ she said” (Luke 1:25 MSG).

Elizabeth relished her pregnancy. And she gave God all the glory. When was the last time you relished anything?

Elizabeth was really onto something. I want to be more like her.

And we can be. We don’t have to muster up joy on our own or settle for half joy.

Scripture tells us Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). That’s who empowers us to truly feel and experience joy. The Holy Spirit fills us and gives us the ability to tear down our walls of self-protection and doubt and instead relish in the goodness God has put all around us.

If we ask, the Holy Spirit will make us more aware of the moments of joy–the scent of vanilla, the warmth of a hug, the way our favorite song makes our feet tap, the intricate beauty of a spider web, the sound of laughter, the taste of bread, warm from the oven or a creamy latte. And with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, you and I can begin relishing the joy that comes our way, savoring it, holding onto it.

This joy—it strengthens us, empowers us to embrace our life and what God has for us today, even during trials. I’m asking Jesus to help me find and hold on to joy today. Want to joy-n me? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

Reflection:

Savor a lovely moment. Take a picture of it in your mind—but not just what you see, also

what you smell, taste, hear, and feel in that moment.

Thank someone out loud (or with a thank-you note) for something lovely they did for you.

Remember to thank God for the thing that made you happy like Elizabeth did. After all, every good and perfect gift comes from Him.