These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be full.
What if Christians illuminated joy? What Christians were the reflection of hope? Of living with hope? Of choosing joy?
If Christ was the epitome of hope and joy, and we are his image, then why is it so difficult to find people like this? I'm surrounded by Christians, but one one hand I can name those who always choose to see hope and reach for, shine joy (Meagan, Sarah, Heidi, Amy...).
Rather, I hear a lot of "poor me", or "doom and gloom", or self-pity, or critical snaps, or feeling so bad for someone whose life just really isn't that bad. And that makes me want to run, it feels like loads and burdens piled on me, and I can't shake those places, those people, those ever-present perspectives of "poor" them. And worse, I think sometimes I start to see and live that way, both feeling bad for myself and reflecting that critical spirit, always chiding someone or cutting down something, looking for ways to pull it/them apart, rather than build it/them up...
What if instead of just feeling always bad for people or seeing the bad of our circumstances, we pointed others to see their joys? their blessings? What if instead of wallowing in their criticisms and short fuses, they made the choice to "rejoice in all things"!?
I can't even imagine if every Christian I met "spurred one another on toward love and good deeds." I can't even imagine how much lighter my heart would feel if the Christians I knew looked for ways to show joy, be joy, and live joy. If hope were the words I heard, the lives I intertwined with.
*Philippians 4:4
My writing here is a bit of a fast, angst release... but better said is found here by my friend Melissa Krueger --
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/melissa-kruger/3-reasons-your-joy-matters-and-isnt-just-about-you/
