The Birth Of Joy

The Birth Of Joy

Always be joyful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

A mere fifty-seven years and fifteen minutes after I was born, my daughter Kristin gave birth to my first grandchild, Callum. Shortly after his birth, I went to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to meet him and welcome him into the world.

Today’s verse reminds us to always be joyful, and at that moment it was easy! I can’t begin to describe how happy it made me to cuddle that little bundle of love. When Callum was born, he delighted all of us, and he continues to do so every day.

But what about those moments when things are hard? Was Jesus joyful when he wept for his friend Lazarus? Or how am I supposed to be joyful when I walk from the ER to the waiting room to tell a family that their loved one has died? It’s hard to find joy in a room full of grief.

Obviously it’s okay to be sad because even Jesus wept. So it must be possible to experience both joy and grief in the same moment. But how?

Though it may not be immediately evident in a hospital waiting room, I think that after some time has passed, it is possible for people to look back and see that grief and joy coexisted in the same moment. When there is a death on earth, there is sadness on this side of the veil as we say good-bye to a loved one. But on the other side, there is great joy as a new soul is born into the delivery room of heaven.

Though we may feel sadness when our friends or family go on before us, there should be great joy in knowing what awaits them on the other side. And when we die, it will be like the ultimate Christmas, because in that moment, we will receive the greatest gift of all—eternal joy with our Father in heaven.

TODAY’S RX

Find joy amid the ashes, and praise God for the promise we have of heaven.

Lord, thank you for the gift of eternal life. May I always have my eyes set on heaven and the glory that awaits me there.