We’ve left lent and entered into the season of Easter. So, to bring the challenge to a conclusion and enter into the new season, I have one last post to write. (Don’t worry, I mean the last post in this series. I will write more, just not every day!)
Yesterday night, after writing the post about being still, I went to an Easter Eve service. Growing up, I went to a dawn service on Easter Sunday where we sang some traditional chants, light the Easter candle and generally celebrated Jesus rising. Then we’d eat breakfast together. That was my favourite service of the year.
Yesterday’s Easter Eve service contained all of that (except the breakfast). We started in darkness, the Easter candle was lit and from that, our individual candles were lit and the light spread across the building. The service included some baptisms and confirmations (CofE sacrament that shows a personal choice to follow Jesus especially when baptism is done as a baby). The music was uplifting and it was great to sing with so many other voices.
It was a celebration.
It was impossible to not feel joyful. We celebrated God’s love and provision. We celebrated God’s promises. We celebrated Jesus’ rising. We celebrated new life. We celebrated fresh starts. We celebrated God being with us.
It didn’t matter what I walked in there with. The stresses, the worries, the concerns… yes, they matter and are important. But only when put in the context of who God is and what he has done. Surrounded by those people, being part of that celebration, the joy was infectious. As the light spread in the darkness, a seed of hope was planted. As we belted out hymns, my spirit was lifted.
I went in feeling weary, and I left infected with joy from those around me, and, I believe, from God.
I’ve read a lot about biblical joy. It’s something that has come up time and again as people have prayed for me. Joy isn’t happiness. It’s deeper than that. But what I’ve read varies. Some say it is something we choose, some say its a feeling so it happens to us. What they all agree on is that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and therefore is from God. Whether we choose it or have no control over it (as emotions don’t tend to be choices), joy is something God gives to sustain us. Joy in trials, joy in celebration. Joy is walking through the trials and knowing that eternity with God is possible because of Jesus. Joy is knowing that what we are handling is temporary because on Easter day Jesus rose again. Joy and peace come with trusting God’s promises, which we can do because Jesus didn’t stay dead, but came back and gave us hope.
Yesterday I trudged into a service because I happened to be there, and I left with a spring in my step and a lightness in my heart. Not because my problems are solved, but because I couldn’t help but be affected by the joy around me. And I have carried that joy, that lightness with me today too.
In my (not theological expert) opinion, I think we do have a choice. Yes, joy is from God. Yes, it is a fruit of the Spirit given to all who follow Jesus. But I think we do have a choice. I think we do have to choose joy over trial. I think we have to choose not to be overwhelmed by the storm. Joy is always there, but we have to choose to let that be the focus. Choosing joy doesn’t stop sadness or fear or anxiety, but it puts them into perspective. I’ve fallen into that trap of letting the worries be the thing that fills my mind. But after yesterday, being topped up with joy, I’m going to do my best to choose that more often.
Surround yourself with joyful people – joy is catching!
The Reason for my Hope Blog 