JOY SENT
The interesting thing about a gift, whether anticipated, expected, or a complete surprise, we all still have a sense of excitement and/or appreciation about what we have been given. I don't know about you but even seeing the amazon box and knowing what's in it on my doorstep gives me a sense of happiness about its arrival.
Have you ever thought maybe it is not merely just the gift in the box but who gave or sent the gift that makes the gift more desirable and enjoyable? Like someone I know or don't know had me in mind. All the cost was on them, and it's entirely mine for free. I simply just receive it. Or maybe you give a gift, and you're excited to see the look on their face when you give them your gift. You're excited that they are excited. Their joy is literally your joy.
Honestly, I can t help but think of my baby girl and how much joy it gives me to see them open up gifts their father and I planned to give them. Their joy literally becomes our joy. Even at such a young age, they do not know the full extent and measure of the love and joy we have in giving them gifts. But them not knowing the full measure of the gift or the reason for our joy to give does not stop us from giving. Yet, we hope they would grow to learn it's not merely about the gift itself but the greatest gift that enabled us to give to others with great joy.
I know you're thinking, what if we don't like the gift (s)? Listen, even if we reject or dislike the gift we have been given or others are disappointed in the gift we have given them, it doesn't stop the gift from being purchased, sent, free, and yours. The only thing that keeps us from enjoying the gift is our attitude, hardened heart, and/or perhaps our surrender to an even greater Gift of joy.
We are not looking to give this holiday season with the hope to be merely liked, nice people, or be admired. We are giving because we are new people (2 cor 5:17) and have the gift of real joy and happiness sent to us for us to share. New people have new heart affections and joy that are given to them. One of those new characteristics is joy.
I liken how Paul tells us that joy is one of the natural responses to God's reign and saving work and influence on earth. God is ruling in us, by the Holy Spirit, to make us more joyful now (along with more peaceable and making us more righteous as the scripture states). Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul assures us through Romans chapters 1-11 that the Spirit's work in us is built on our secured righteousness through Christ alone. Joy in produced in us as God's Fruit of the Spirit is cultivated in us (Gal 5:22-23).
God gives and produces his joy in us! And Christians should be are marked by his joy as his disciples. Whether eating, drinking, singing, working, or giving! We are walking agents of His joy as we love and obey Jesus (John 15:11). May we share the unmeasured joy of knowing the father. May we remember the joy of our savior's hand finding and abiding with us, and may we give to others with the light of joy from our
Thank God this kind of joy frees us from giving to our family, friends, and others begrudgingly, selfishly, or conditionally. Thank you Jesus, that our giving can be free from guilt or greed … Rejoice because Jesus has freed us to give because of grace. To give because of Joy! Rejoice because we are in the lord (Phil 4:4).
God's joy sent to us gives us the grace to follow Jesus, not for a better life but because he's better than life … Thank God, Jesus is a gift that keeps on giving through his Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), and He gives us opportunities, resources, and means to share of his joy.
How do you remain joyful during a year full of ups and many downs? It's so hard to think about the holidays without family and let alone mustard up the joy the holidays usually bring. Many are without a lot this season, and honestly, some of us can say the same. Can I tell you may be the joy God cultivates and the grace of giving even in this season can still be the answer to what can free our hearts of fear, guilt, or greed?
One of the small ways Grace Alive has chosen to be an agent of joy this holiday day season is the Grace Alive Kids BIG Toy Drive. We invite you to the joy of partnering with Grace Alive Kids through our BIG Toy Drive as we look to:
Regenerate hearts of generosity in our kids and families
Make His joy known to our neighbors.
Seek the good and serve the city
We are donating new or gently used toys to be a blessing to families during a hard time for many this year. We love being an encouragement and generous to others, especially during the holiday season. We want our kids to enjoy the gift of giving.
Donations can be dropped off on Sundays (December 6th, 13th, and 20th) in Grace Alive Kids or the Worship Center Lobby.
Regardless of the season or time of year, let's continue being a people who pass on to others the joy sent to us in Christ.
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