Choose Joyනියැදිය

DAY 8 – ORIGIN OF JOY

Reflection: In this second week of our Choose Joy journey, we'll think about joy as an attribute of God's character. Before creation, there was only God, in perfect love and goodness. Nothing else was needed, and yet God’s character is expressed in his choice to share his love with creation, in particular, humankind.

These words in Genesis 1 are very carefully chosen to convey only what is most important about the incomprehensible act of creation on which God embarks.

And one of those things is that in the act of creating everything, beginning with light no less, God pauses to take pleasure in what he has created. Having spoken light into being (something from nothing, by his Word), God, 'saw' the light and it was ‘good’.

The Hebrew word here for good is טוֹב – towb. It’s a word rich in meaning that includes good, pleasant, bountiful, and, yes, joyful.

We should find great comfort in knowing that the God who made us and rules over all creation is one who takes time to enjoy his creation. To see that it is good and to be pleased.

And because we are made in his image and likeness (Gen 1:26, 27), we too have the capacity to say, ‘Hey, that’s good, I love that, wow, that brings me such joy.’ The origin of joy is the very character of the Living God we serve.

Choose joy: Pause today and really ‘see’ the many things which are good in your life. The breath you just took, the people in your life, the beauty of nature, the wonder of God's love.