Joy to the World, the Lord is come! The theme for this week's advent is
joy. I have so much joy in my life. That is not to say that my life
is easy nor has it ever been. But, the one thing that I have learned in
recent years that joy can be found in any situation. When I was lying
in the hospital waiting to learn my fate, away from my children during
Christmas, I learned to find joy in little things. Having great nurses
or a visitor bringing me a cup of coffee or the carolers who sang to me
on Christmas all brought me joy. When I saw my baby on the ultrasound
or felt him move, joy surged through my heart. One of the things I
learned during this time is that if we wait on circumstances to bring us
joy, then we will be waiting forever. Life is hard and when you become
a Christian, it doesn't get any easier. We must seek out each day
where we can find joy. I was not happy staying in the hospital for 81
days knowing that I might live or I might die but I found joy in knowing
that God does not waste one single instance in our lives. I now take
joy in visiting others in the hospital when they are unsure of what is
coming next. God took my bed rest and is using it to help other women.
Joy, joy, joy!!!!
Mary, in her Magnificat(Luke), finds joy in her
impossible situation. Here she is, young, unmarried but engaged, a
virgin, poor, uneducated and pregnant. This may seem overwhelming(can
you imagine having to tell your parents the news?) yet Mary was able to
pen the words in Luke 1:
46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
That
is finding joy in a seemingly impossible set of circumstances. Mary
knew that her strength didn't come from her but from the God who created
the universe. She rejoices in knowing that she is called favored by
Him. After waiting for over 400 years, God has finally spoken to Israel
in a most unlikely way, through a woman and a baby! Praise God! May
you find joy this season!
