Joy

Luke 2:8-10 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.”

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The idea of a universe and all of its bright stars, a world with intricate design all created by the breath of Love. A thought, a spoken word and the creativity of God came to life bursting with joy and all good things. You, the object of His affection; one on whom delight is bestowed and whose purpose is to know Love were made to reflect Him in unashamed joy and were meant to be marked only by Love and no other name. You were lovingly born in the mind of a joyful God. You were created to know Him and be with Him.

An enraptured God, with man as the object of His affection, proclaimed all He had made as “Very good!” Ruler of the Universe, the Maker of Heaven and Earth chose to continue to create and cultivate through relationship with His loved. The joy of knowing and being known by Love with no distortion His plan.

A now age old lie caught the Loved’s attention. A question, a thought that maybe the Creator of all wasn’t who He said He was. God’s intentions questioned, the Loved chose a different way thinking it was the better way, the safer way, the independent way and the smarter way.

Darkness seeped in and the Deeply Loved lost their way, but Love never stopped loving because that’s Who He is.

The color left the earth, moments of joy were interrupted with harsh words and heartbreak. Death came causing fear and pain. Intimate relationships meant to be the safest places for a heart became painful places cutting deep. Jealousy, envy and strife became the way of life. Trying to find life without God, those who are designed to be with God stumbled. Joy was lost. The Loved separated from the One who IS love.

Joy was lost because relationship was lost, but Love had a different way. The joy of reuniting with His Loved eclipsed the pain of the Cross, the humility of taking the form of a man and enduring the pain of life in a broken world. Love had a plan and a rescue was staged.

On a dark and starry night, a light burst forth. God came. He came to restore life with man and made a way for intimacy again. Darkness trembled as the light appeared. Love had come reuniting His beloved to Himself through life and through death. For the joy of once again being near the Loved He came. All who seek Him now find Him and those who look to Him will be radiant with joy. The time is now, God is near and joy has come!