Well, yes and no. 

Like many gifts of truth on the spiritual journey, there’s a paradox to understand. A “both-and.”  Paul says joy is a “fruit” of the Spirit. A result, an outcome, a product of One who is greater than us.

So, it’s not OUR choice?

Well, yes and no…

Let’s ponder together this Sunday and next week… what choices enable joy? What gets in the way?  What is the Source?  Does it matter how we prepare for it? Access it?

I dare you to google “joy quote images.”  You’ll see pages of pastels and pretty fonts and light-hearted cheery messages.

I can promise you these ARE NOT the substance of what we’ll be talking about or aspiring to.  Christian joy is not a synonym for easy times.  It has grit, resilience, and “nevertheless” in its DNA. 

It’s the REAL THING promised to us.  Let’s scratch the surface together Sunday…

In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Jacki