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 A collective reflection on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love Sunday, December 15, 2024 |
Gratitude + Joy Psalm 100:1-2, 4 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:1-2, 4 NIV). Gratitude journals. If I’m being honest, a wave of anxiety comes over me as I hear those words. Maybe it’s because of my many failed attempts at “list 1,000 things you’re thankful for” challenges, or maybe it’s a quiet shame that inevitably sneaks in as I look at a list of incredible blessings in my life and still feel less than grateful. Shouldn’t a song of praise always be on my lips? After all God has brought me through, the kindness he has shown me, where is my joy? I think of David’s words in Psalm 42: “Why, my soul, are you so downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” As we move through the Advent season, I imagine I’m not the only one experiencing this struggle. And I can’t help but wonder if the psalmist was familiar with these feelings himself. Psalm 100 calls for us to “shout FOR joy” and “give thanks to him,” an exhortation for when we are feeling joyful, yes, but perhaps even more so when we aren’t. Many of us picture “entering his gates with thanksgiving” as a vibrant Sunday worship experience. But for me, it often looks way less exciting and a lot more somber – often simply sitting at my piano while my kids nap. Sometimes, I don’t have words to sing, so I play, hoping for his presence, desiring to be grateful even when my heart feels anything but. Yet, every time, God meets me there. Gradually, gratitude flows as I let the Prince of Peace soothe my heart. When I make space to remember who he is – the true, trustworthy, and only lasting source of joy – my heart can’t help but respond in praise. By Anna McCracken PRAYER FOR TODAY Lord, whether we come into your presence today overflowing with joy or bringing a sacrifice of praise, remind each of our hearts where true joy is found. Help us make space for your Spirit to renew our joy this Advent season. Let us sing a new song as we remember the greatest gift of all, your Son, Jesus. For him, let our hearts sing with gratitude and joy. |
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