JOY

This past week, a colleague presented a devotion on joy. The topic hit home as many of the personal devotions I have recently been reading have focused on grace, thanksgiving, and joy. The colleague spoke of how her first year of teaching (the year previous) had been difficult and she really felt she lacked joy. This year, she was determined to lead a more joy-filled life and began to do some devotions and reading to put some strategies in place. I think many of us can relate that there are times in our life when we lack joy. There may be many reasons or circumstances that cause us to lack joy.

She continued with the story of Mary and Martha.

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'"
~Luke 10:38-40

I am sure at this point, Mary felt that Jesus would agree with her and reprimand Martha for not contributing to the work. However, Mary was about to find out that was not the case. And Jesus continued...

"'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" ~Luke 10:41-42

And so it is with us, especially at Christmas. Life is busy and hectic and we tend to loose our focus. The story of Mary and Martha is a reminder to us that amidst all the distractions of this world, we need to set our life back in order. I feel that between the comparison of Mary and Martha, I have much to learn to try to centre my life on what is truly important. To live more like Martha and not Mary. I like to be efficient and I like to have everything in order (perhaps an understatement, I know). As I was talking with another colleague this week, I came to be reminded that sometimes life is more than everything wrapped up in a pretty little package topped with a bow. There is a time and a place for order and efficiency and there is most definitely a time and place for pretty packages wrapped with a bow.

To be more like Martha this holiday season (remember we are not talking about Martha Stewart because then we would be more like Mary), means to slow down and focus on what is truly important. Learning to be content no matter the circumstances we face or the daily challenges. We need to learn to live fully. Learn to live with gratitude and be thankful each day for the blessings all around us. And when we slow down we may just be blessed to see the gifts around us. To see that God is there. He is in the details. God is in the moment. Thanks is what multiplies our joy. I know that when I stop to thank God daily for the gifts around me, I feel such gratitude and this gratitude extends into JOY!

"I have learned how to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." ~Philippians 4:11-12