Sion Youth
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Meet the Team >
      • Leadership
      • Mission Team >
        • SionYouth Blog
      • Associate Members
  • Mission
    • Themes >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Friday
    • Workshops
    • Mission Showcase
    • POD Resources
    • Mission Evaluation
  • Events
    • D Weekend
    • The Ascent
    • Mt Sion Family Camp
  • Foundation Year
    • What's it about?
    • Who's it for?
    • The details
    • Formation
    • Mission
    • Apply
  • Book a Speaker!
    • Suggested Topics
    • Enquiry Form
  • Teachers and Chaplains
    • Mission Downloads
    • Resources
  • Mission Team

Joy

25/11/2014

0 Comments

 
                 I’d like to share a few thoughts on Joy. But not a joy as world knows it but joy of God. I believe that Joy, same as love, is based on decision. It is much more then feeling. Happiness is a feeling, but joy is a choice. It is a knowledge; knowledge of Christ’ saving grace in our life. And it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

“We need to remind ourselves everyday of what Christ has done for each one of us, then to acknowledge it and decide to believe it.”

                This is joy to me. When I do this, the joy of God fills me and wants to explode often without any outwards signs. It is uncontainable, it is something divine which I cannot control or touch.

                Often we like to repress joy for we don’t feel it. I don’t think that is a correct thinking. Jesus said:  

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” (Matt 5:11-12)

I don’t think anyone feel joyful when they are insulted, persecuted or falsely accused. Still Jesus says rejoice. St Paul writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4)

                We can decide to rejoice, to have joy, but it involves turning from ourselves towards Christ’ truths. (For your reward in heaven is great; for you are beloved child of God; for Jesus has redeemed you and freed you, for He is always with you,.........) Sadly often we enjoy to be closed in ourselves. We enjoy being comforted by other peoples for it can make us feel happy. But that is just a feeling, it never lasts.  We need to turn. This can be really difficult but that is where the Holy Spirit comes in. Joy is the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask Holy Spirit to fill us with this joy and He will help us to turn and keep our gaze on Christ and our hearts will be overflowing.

May God be blessed. 

0 Comments

    Author

    Ondrej's place to share some thoughts. I'm a member of Sion Youth mission team.  

    Archives

    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    February 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Meet the Team >
      • Leadership
      • Mission Team >
        • SionYouth Blog
      • Associate Members
  • Mission
    • Themes >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Friday
    • Workshops
    • Mission Showcase
    • POD Resources
    • Mission Evaluation
  • Events
    • D Weekend
    • The Ascent
    • Mt Sion Family Camp
  • Foundation Year
    • What's it about?
    • Who's it for?
    • The details
    • Formation
    • Mission
    • Apply
  • Book a Speaker!
    • Suggested Topics
    • Enquiry Form
  • Teachers and Chaplains
    • Mission Downloads
    • Resources
  • Mission Team