Two sources of joy came together for me this week. In the first, we are going to watch our grandson play in the state high school all star football game tonight. The joy is not in the pride of our grandson’s achievements, but rather in watching him enjoy something that means a lot to him. Secondly, we helped at a sports and art camp held by our church. So, I coached seven six and seven year olds in the game of soccer. Again, the joy was not so much in the excitement of these wonderful kids as they played. But rather, abounding joy came in observing five of them giving their lives to Jesus during the week. The new birth and joy in their faces as they accepted Jesus into their lives caused an overwhelming sense of joy within me.
Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Joy and peace come together in us by trusting God. It is God’s gift to us to believe and abound in hope. This joy is real and abounds for eternity.
Reluctant Retiree 