Joy

My Uncle, Pastor Brian Wiita, gave me the wonderful opportunity to write an article for the Proctor Journal over my Christmas break and I thought it would make sense to put it up on here as well! I hope the joy of God's love is real in your life. Only through His love are we truly fulfilled.

Joy is a theme that this time of year often is tied to, but joy is a funny thing. It’s a concept that I believe our culture thinks it understands, but in fact does not.  You see, if we understood the true meaning of joy then I do not think we would need so many different outlets in which to search out joy. Media, food, and holidays are just three examples of such outlets, and let’s be honest how much joy can be extracted from one tray of cookies and brownies before joy turns to pain? Now I understand the argument that family can be a source of true joy, but even that is interlaced with inevitable conflict and at least a dash of frustration here and there.  So what is true joy? True joy is that overwhelming sense of happiness that does not fade when the party ends, food runs out, or family departs. It cannot be conquered by the sometimes daunting tasks this world requires, nor can it be affected by the time of day, week, or season. It is supernatural.

Here is my challenge to anyone who happens to read this article. Give the supernatural joy that God offers a chance this wintry season. For those of you who have accepted God’s plan of salvation and have therefore at least tasted of this joy, I would challenge you to forget tasting and drink deeply of the living water that Jesus Christ offers to those who believe. Let it overwhelm every facet of your life. For those of you who haven’t a clue what any of that means; stop searching for happiness in the very temporary pleasures of this earth and realize the joy that God offers to those who remain in Him. All it requires is belief in the perfect act of love Jesus demonstrated with his death on the cross, burial, and resurrection, and an acceptance of the salvation He so freely offers.

In conclusion I would just like to add this: Life was never meant to be easy. This is never more apparent than this time of year, a time in which holidays come and go leaving only the heaviness of a long winter ahead in our fragile minds. With that being said, there is a remedy. God’s word tells us to “Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). There is a God in Heaven who loves you and is willing to accept any burden you may have in exchange for an everlasting peace. You are loved.