As I'm sitting outside with the sun shining on my face and the cool breeze gently blowing through my hair, I am basking in pure joy.
But I am terrified. I mean aren't you? Have you not watched the news? We're expecting one of the biggest hurricanes to devastate so many of our hometowns. And that is exactly how we treat life. We see and receive the greatest blessings that God hands us, but guardedly wait for the hardships life hurls at us because we figure there is no way this kind of joy lasts for long. We are so used to pain and struggle so we live our lives in preparation of a storm to come and wipe it all away. I'm in this season of life where joy greets me in the morning and wishes me a good night. I mean don't get me wrong, I still struggle. I do not have nearly enough figured out in life, but lately I am experiencing this exhilarating thing called joy one day at a time. But let me tell you, it just worries me to NO END. I have come to this realization that joy is kind of like your favorite dessert. In my case, it would be a giant slice of cookie cake. But if we had no idea what that delicious cookie cake tasted like, we would have nothing to look forward to after dinner. Just like joy, if we don't embrace the storms with FULL confidence that sunshine is waiting on the other side, then what exactly are we living for? I mean Jesus promises us joy. So why are we so afraid to hug it tight and let it hang for a little while? "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalms 16:11 If you're experiencing pain and adversity with life, hold on to that umbrella because the rain dries up and the black clouds will part. But if you're like me and you are finally experiencing pure bliss for the first time in a long time, and you're anxiously waiting for the next time thunder will roll or lightning to strike, just STOP. Invite joy in for awhile. Spend time with it and see all that the Lord is offering you. These are the times we see what life with Jesus is all about. Because yes, storms will come. But the sunshine is always guaranteed.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Carli Salzberg Sharing your past, your failures, and all your junk doesn't only bring you the freedom and healing that the Lord is so clearly offering us, but it reminds others that they're not alone in this broken world. Archives
October 2016
Categories |