Life comes at us like the ocean waves--relentlessly. Some are gentle and some are forceful. They can knock you down, and when you struggle to get up, another may crash over you.
Churches can face a tidal wave of trouble. It can be one thing after another. We might think we will drown. Ministry sometimes is akin to misery. Pastors can become drained and disheartened.
Are you happy? Happiness is an emotion dependent on happenings. If the sun is shining and the birds are singing, we may feel glad. When the clouds are dark, and the rain is drenching, we might feel sad.
Yet, there is joy in the journey. Whatever the part of the road we travel today--beside still waters or into the valley of death's shadow--the Good Shepherd is with us, and we know at the end of the road, "We shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever," (Psalm. 23:6). We are glory bound! The important thing about a road is not the condition of it but the destination of it! There may be potholes and detours, traffic jams and car wrecks, yet if the road takes us where we want to go, then all is well.
Joy is not a mere emotion that can be impacted by the weather. It is a fruit of the Spirit. Whatever is happening on the outside of us, we have the sweet Spirit of Christ's presence inside of us. Focus on Him and His abiding promise--and press on weary one!
Here is a recipe: Worry about nothing; pray about everything; be thankful for anything, (cf. Phil. 4:6-7). That was written by a preacher in prison who had suffered much. Still Paul wrote to a church that was established as a result of a mission trip to Philippi. There Paul and Silas were beaten and bound in prison, but at midnight they sang praises to God!
Someone needed this encouragement today. If you don't, then you may tomorrow. At some point we all do.
Yours in Joy,
Dennis Thurman, AMS
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