Advent Joy

This week marks the 3rd week of advent when the candle symbolizing Joy is lit.

I have not been able to enjoy the meaning of the advent candles much this year...or rather to meditate on their meanings. Even though the students are now finished with their fall classes, we are still running full force preparing for this conference, prepping for that outreach, going to another training, and having meeting after meeting. These are all great things that are training me well, and I am excited of the future plans that are in store for the students, but like many people, I'm busy. There is not much time to slow down and think on things like advent.

Lately I tend to find myself reflecting as I lay down to go to bed. There's something about a dimly lit room at night...and a touch of insomnia...that helps me contemplate and think on things I can't seem to focus on in the day. Tonight is one of those nights...

Joy. Such a strange thing...joy. I've never really questioned it, or thought much about it. It is something I just seem to have. It is something many people who I consider family have. It is just this thing we possess that no one can really explain. Of course we know where it comes from...God, the Comforter. I suppose the part that really can't be explained is how God is able to give us such joy even though life all around us is seeming to fall apart...or at least crumble a little at the edges.

Tonight I was thinking about the advent candle joy. And it dawned on me. Why do I have so much faith in God? Where is this joy coming from...or why do I even have it? I look around my life and I see so much pain in those I love and uncertainty in everything. Nothing seems to make sense anymore, and all the world seems to be in complete chaos!

And yet, through all this muck...there's Jesus. There's God reaching out his arms for me. He's here comforting me in times of lonliness and fear. He guides me through uncertainty and helps me face death. He removes illplaced suffering and anger. He excites about the future when the world says there's no hope. He gives me a heart to serve and worship when I should be distracted. There's this inner peace. An unexplainable joy in knowing that my Lord is in control.

There is no reason for it, for it can't be reasoned.

There is no logical explanation, for it is far beyond the logical mind.

And it can't be understood, for it is greater than our comprehension.

It is the gift that God gives when we trust in Him. His Holy Spirit resting on us bringing us peace and gifting us with great joy in the midst of terrible pain.

It can not be explained, and it can not be understood, but praise our Lord God for He has given us joy.