Our ministry was fortunate enough to spend the last several days in Oklahoma ministering to church leaders in the region. It was a powerful time, and the Lord moved in miraculous ways. People were healed, deliverance took place, and at the end of the conference what you could really see was a fresh breath of the Spirit.
It was like everyone looked around and said collectively, “Okay, I can keep doing this.”
I love that for those that attended, and I pray they can carry that feeling into the next season. I was also struck by the stark reality of the feeling when everyone showed up - there was a lack of joy. People were tired, and somewhere along the way it was like the enemy sucked the joy out of ministry.
Obviously, there are a lot of really good reasons for this; Covid was obviously not joyful, in my own Methodist tribe the breakup of the denomination has not been joyful, and the overall mood of most Americans - is not joyful.
So, how do spirit-led leaders stay joyful when the world wants to be grumpy?
I would suggest this: We must remember, my joy is from the Lord.
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I am sure most of you know, Paul is writing this from prison - no reason to be joyful there. And yet in this exhortation, you can see the source of true joy is in the statement: The Lord is near.
I think if I can reflect on non-joyful seasons in my own life, the seasons that sucked the life out of me, the number one thing that is first to go is my appreciation for the closeness of the Lord.
I tend to forget who the Lord is, and in doing so I lose my reason for joy.
Maybe I’m not the only one, maybe you forget sometimes too. If that’s where you are this morning then I want to end this writing with a gift.
5 reminders of who God is that give me JOY.
The Lord is the Creator of the universe. He MADE everything. The stars, the mountains - everything. All of creation has been touched by the Lord.
The Lord is relational. He WANTS to connect with YOU. He counted the hairs on your head while you were still in your mother’s womb.
The Lord is merciful. He doesn’t give you what you deserve, He loves you so much more than that.
The Lord redeems. He wants to take all you have and use it for good.
The Lord is love. Jesus.
Those are five simple statements that bring me joy, and it’s all because of who God is - meaning it’s not dependent on me.
I am so thankful for a joy that isn’t circumstantial, and I pray that no matter what season you find yourself in - you can remember that the joy is there for you!