Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World
Day 200 – Kill joy!
Scripture focus: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ‘ Luke 7:33-34
“One of the accusations made by the religious leaders of Jesus’ day was that he partied with undesirables. It was unacceptable in their minds to associate in any way with undesirables. That would make you unclean. But it was particularly unacceptable to party with undesirables. Then, as now, religion was thought to be very serious business, much too serious for the kind of celebrations that Jesus enjoyed…Jesus told many stories about God’s love for celebration. When the lost is found, the finder throws a feast. When the prodigal returns, the father has a party. When a single person repents, the angels rejoice. And on and on. Jesus, the man of sorrows, was also a man of celebration and joy.” Dale and Juanita Ryan, Rooted in God’s love, p. 246.
“One of the accusations made by the religious leaders of Jesus’ day was that he partied with undesirables. It was unacceptable in their minds to associate in any way with undesirables. That would make you unclean. But it was particularly unacceptable to party with undesirables. Then, as now, religion was thought to be very serious business, much too serious for the kind of celebrations that Jesus enjoyed…Jesus told many stories about God’s love for celebration. When the lost is found, the finder throws a feast. When the prodigal returns, the father has a party. When a single person repents, the angels rejoice. And on and on. Jesus, the man of sorrows, was also a man of celebration and joy.” Dale and Juanita Ryan, Rooted in God’s love, p. 246.
Are you a kill joy?
Do you resist resting?
Is it hard for you to play?
Do you resist resting?
Is it hard for you to play?
I understand that you may be in the midst of suffering. I know you may be grieving a tremendous loss. But I also believe that God is going to sneak in moments of joy in the midst of sorrow. I pray that we can embrace these respites when they arrive. They feed and nourish us, they revive our spirit. Appreciating and embracing moments of joy is not a betrayal of one’s grief – it is a gift from God in the midst of it. May you accept God’s wild and crazy gift of joy today!
Recommended reading: 1 Chronicles 26 and 27 in the morning; Romans 5 and Psalm 13 in the evening
Recommended reading: 1 Chronicles 26 and 27 in the morning; Romans 5 and Psalm 13 in the evening
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