JOY!

In the midst of stress, worry, fear, and uncertainty, how can we obtain the abundant joy that God promises throughout the Bible to those who love Him? 

Having joy and peace seems almost impossible in these tumultuous times, doesn’t it? But let me tell you from very personal experience, you can.

This year has been difficult, on so many fronts, and yet this past weekend was full of incredible joy as we celebrated the wedding of my daughter, Emily, and the love of her life, Matthew.  Everything about it seemed magical: the venue, the flowers, the candle lit aisle, her outfit, even the mist in the air as we were having photos taken outside. In the middle of a global pandemic and all the stresses and complications — there was joy!

God does that. God continually provides for each of us reminders that we can find joy even in the midst trials and difficulties.

It's true that some trials are big, and some are small. Trials come in all different shapes and sizes.

So what is the secret to joy in trials? What’s the secret for a Christian to have joy while suffering through financial hardship, cancer, the loss of a loved one? Is it realistic that both joy and grief can exist together?

We can see this throughout scripture. Peter writes about it and Paul lived it. Look at what the Apostle Paul said about his trials in 2 Corinthians 6:10: “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything”.

Paul said he was at the same time “sorrowful” and still “rejoicing.” 

To have joy in trials is not to deny pain. It’s to recognize the fact that they can exist together. They can co-exist in the same way two people can exchange vows and promises of a joyful future in the midst of a global pandemic, or as an expectant mother can go through the pain of childbirth and still have joy in thinking about what is to come. Both have joy because they have the “right focus” as they consider their promising lives together. In the same way, we must have the right focus in order to have joy in the midst of trials.

What is the “right focus” to obtain joy in the midst of our trials?

• Focus on God’s love, sovereignty and purpose in trials. The trial may be necessary for our growth and maturity in Christ. (1 Peter 1:6)

• Focus on our faith, trials prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:7)

• Focus on our relationship with God, trials can bring deep intimacy with God. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

• Focus on the eternal glory; faithfulness in trials will be rewarded. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

May you persevere by staying focused on the prize and know that God is preparing you, maturing you, and blessing you beyond what you could ever hope or imagine!

May you find JOY!

"It is a joy for us to bless you."

This coming Saturday my baby (well…my adult daughter) is getting married!!!  Brian and I are thrilled by Emily’s choice in a partner. Matthew is a wonderful young man who has easily fit into our family and we love that he adores our Emily.

I need not tell you that weddings are full of extra activities and, the occasional stresses. Planning a wedding in the midst of a Global pandemic is all the more…how shall I say it? Interesting ;) We have been so blessed to have dear friends who have come alongside to assist in ways I didn’t even realize we needed help. 

These same friends are the ones who have, for years, shared our burdens and made our lives all the richer. When we express our gratitude to them, their response is always, “it is a joy for us to bless you”.  Their humble response is indicative of who they are.  They give of themselves, freely and often, and not just to us but to so many others!

They remind me of the scripture we talked about on Sunday, in There’s a Reason (part 2)

Mark 10:45:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

- Jesus

Jesus is our greatest example of selflessness. Scripture is full of examples of Him serving others - from going out of His way to talk to the woman at the well, to healing lepers, to washing His disciples' feet, to the ultimate sacrifice of giving His life. 

We can get so caught up in own own needs that we may not think of others or look for ways to serve like Jesus. But not my friends.

They truly inspire me. 

Opportunities to serve are all around us. From raking leaves for a neighbour, or buying and delivering groceries to shut-ins, to throwing a beautiful shower for the daughter of a friend.

We are given plenty of opportunities to imitate Jesus. And I know that if we are open, God will put someone in our path whom we can serve today. 

Let's consider their needs and serve them unreservedly and gladly, and may we too, find the joy in blessing others.

Be Well and Be Grateful… you are loved beyond measure!

Pain with a purpose. Really?

Before becoming an ordained minister, I worked as a Childbirth Educator in two hospitals, and I owned my own company called Expectations. I had the privilege of being in hundreds of deliveries.

I remember like it was yesterday, one delivery where I was assisting a young woman who was in labour. What was so memorable about this delivery was how very difficult it was.  This young woman literally had every medical intervention under the sun. She had a medication that slowed down her labour, so she was put on a medication that sped her labour up. The contractions then came fast and furious, so she had an epidural. When it was time to push, she had an episiotomy and vacuum extractor but that didn’t move the baby, so forceps were then used. She had every medical intervention available. I remember weeping for all that she was enduring and yet, after the precious life was delivered and put on her chest, she looked at her newborn, looked at me and said, “Mona, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.” I will never forget that moment.  Pain with a purpose.

I have a friend who runs marathons… on purpose…with a purpose! Yes, it is painful but she would attest that the payoff, the satisfaction, the fulfillment, the sense of accomplishment — “is worth the pain”. 

Or what about my friend who recently got a tattoo??

People can, and will, endure a lot of pain if there is a purpose.  But what if we can’t see the purpose of our pain?

Today we may not be facing childbirth or running a marathon or getting a tattoo but we may be experiencing the pain of the unknown; the pain of the loss of a loved one or broken relationship; or the pain of being isolated, alone and afraid during this uncertain time.  

And we might ask, what is the purpose of what I am going through?

Sometimes it’s hard to remember, especially in the midst of a painful time that perhaps there is a purpose. We just can see it yet. God may be doing something in you before God does something through you. 

I love what the apostle Paul said in Romans 8:28, one of the most quoted verses in the Bible and with good reason. He says,

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God works in all things — everything — whatever you're going through in this season, God works in all things for the good, according to God's purpose, not according to your pain. 

Let’s not just look at life from a perspective of pain, but see our pain through a perspective of purpose, because that difficult thing that you're going through right now… God is in it, God is with you and we know that in all things our good God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Join us this Sunday, on-line or in-person for Part two of our new sermon series, There’s a Reason.