Think hard: Where do you find joy?

Today, I have the joy of celebrating the fifth birthday of my oldest grandson. Grandchildren are a real joy. I find joy in spending time with all five of my grandchildren. What a blessing to be able to spend a special day with one of my grandkids celebrating an important step in life.

I find joy in other activities. I enjoy time with my wife, my own four children and my extended family. I enjoy being a pastor and sharing God’s love with others in various ways.

I find enjoyment in outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting, skiing and hiking. We live in a world of difficulty and pain. But God has also put us into a world that he originally created good. What a blessing that even in this world of sin we still find joy in various relationships and activities of life.

So, where do you find joy? Maybe you enjoy movies or reading or video games. Perhaps you find enjoyment in gardening, sewing or fixing cars. Maybe you find joy in traveling and learning new cultures. Some find joy in learning and going to school. Where do you find joy in life?

As I talked with another friend yesterday and was encouraged to enjoy the beautiful weather, I thought forward to Sunday morning. Yes, I enjoy being outdoors in the sunny Alaska March weather. But I also find joy in worship. I find joy in the presence of my Lord and his people. I find joy in listening to his Word, singing his praises, and going to him in prayer. I find joy in receiving the forgiveness and the blessings of my Lord, which are given in worship.

God so loved the world that he sent his son, Jesus. One of the places that we receive that love of God is in regular worship. No wonder King David wrote in Psalm 122:1, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

Have you ever thought of worship as a joyful opportunity? Many see worship as an obligation, and we do have a commandment from God to “Remember the Sabbath Day.” But, God doesn’t give commandments just to make us do the things he wants us to do. Actually, everyone has broken God’s commandments.

God gives commandments because the actions to which he calls us are what are healthy and beneficial for us. When we worship we receive affirmation of God’s love in the midst of our trials. When we worship we are strengthened for the difficult task of living as God’s children. When we worship we are encouraged by fellow Christians. Some even see worship as a hug from our Heavenly Father as we face life in this world.

So, where do you find joy? I pray that as you find joy for this life in a movie, a walk or a snowmachine ride, that you find deep and lasting joy in worshiping our Creator, our Savior, our Lord. I pray all of you take time to worship our Lord and find joy in his presence and his blessings.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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