JOY
Eastertide is a time for JOY. Today’s psalm calls the whole of creation to cry out with joy to the Lord:
“Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.”
This feels like a real challenge today When our world order faces so many threats and challenges the thought of being joyful can simply seem beyond us.. So much conspires to sap the joy out of life.
It’s drained away by the constant stream of bad news on our screens. It’s dissipated by the impossibly perfect lives presented on social media. That makes it very easy to dismiss JOY as only applying when life is good.
The Acts of the Apostles shows us that we can rejoice in the power of the risen Christ even when our lives are challenged and threatened. Facing a new wave of persecution, the young church is forced to flee even as it mourns the death of Stephen. It’s hard to imagine a situation less made for joy than that.
Yet, as they spread through the countryside they carry with them the Good News of the gospel, sharing it with all who are willing to listen. Philip’s preaching in the Samaritan town reminds us that even in the hardest situations the gospel can touch hearts and bring joy to people’s lives:
“There was great rejoicing in that town.”
This reminds however challenging our times are we can still share the joy of the risen Christ with one another
Where is Christ calling you to rejoice this Eastertide?