Live Your Joy StorySample

The Audacity of Joy

Joy is a small word carrying the big gift of our soul’s delight. It's often found between life’s happy moments and today's gratitude. However, during a letdown or a loss, it may feel like delight disappears beneath shadows of doubt or despair.

Joy rises where it is welcome. With the cruelty of the cross upon Him and the mockery of Roman soldiers around Him, Jesus could have said or done many things. Yet, He saw something precious and powerful before Him: joy. It gave Him holy motivation to endure the cross and disregard its shame. (Hebrews 12:1 and 2)

However, joy didn’t erase the suffering of Calvary’s cross, but eventually, it eclipsed it. After Jesus completed His mission of dying for our sin, He rose from the dead and returned to heaven as Savior and Lord. Then joy erupted. It was triumphant and full of glory.

Now we can rejoice in His salvation. The audacity of joy is that even amid harsh or humbling realities, it offers us the strength of God so we can find deep satisfaction in God. (Nehemiah 8:9 and 10)

We might want to wish away moments (or even years) of our life’s story. But as the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus wrote joy into our redemptive story. As we keep our eyes on Him, we can experience His joy too.

Your Joy Story

How does keeping your eyes on Jesus embolden you to live with joy?

Prayer

Dear God, help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and live in the joy You’ve set before us. May we find deep satisfaction in obeying You and continual strength as we trust in You. Thank You for creating new chapters in our joy story, in Jesus’ name, amen.