Joy as Resistance

Sometimes in the midst of work and worries, it is challenging to remember the spiritual fruit of joyfulness. In our current days, we find ourselves having to do some really heavy lifting for human rights and maintaining hope for our collective future. I have noticed in myself and many, many others a suppression of hope and joy as we face an uncertain future - but the suppression of hope and joy is one way the darkness wins. Joy is an act of resistance that builds hope and gives us the energy to keep being Christ’s light in this world - joy is one of the ways we resist the power of darkness. 

Joy is the energy that keeps hatred from winning. 

The prophet Jeremiah wrote during a terrible time in Israel’s history, a time when the people of Judah had been forced out of their homes and land and were living as trafficked people in Babylon. Jeremiah’s message to the people of Israel and their captors is long (52 chapters!) and complex, but in the midst of this there is a direction from God that they are to seek out the joyous things of life - homes, gardens, and family. In seeking out these things, the people will increase the welfare of their cities - and their own. 

“4Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:4-7).

And so, I want to encourage you today to resist hatred by finding and creating joy. Finding and creating joy doesn’t mean ignoring the hatred that is rising around us - instead it is a way of infusing light in our own lives and through our lives into the world around us. 

Joy is active resistance.

So, today take a pause from hopelessness and/or advocacy and find some micro-moments of joy. Listen to the morning bird song - these birds sound just as eager as we are for spring! Pick up a book that makes you forget the real world for a moment. Go for a walk when the sun comes back out and turn your face to the sun’s promising rays. Spend a few moments cross-stitching, knitting, wood working, painting, or whatever beautiful handicrafts you love. Call someone you love just to hear their voice. Sing loudly in the shower, the living room, or your own backyard.

Joy is love bubbling up to the surface - let it come!

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Blessings,

Pastor Amy

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