Choose Joy! . . . yeah, right. #1

Choose Joy! . . . yeah, right. #1

listen to podcast: http://www.pastorwoman.com/…/6a38a073-5f4f-49f8-bb61-4dc3ec…

Have you ever heard that God has quite a sense of humor? Well, he does. And to substantiate my claim, I will provide the specifics. Two weekends ago, I had the privilege of speaking at a mountain retreat, which had been on the booksfor many months. 'Just pray about the theme, and we know God will lead you to what is just right for our Laguna Beach people.' And so I did. And so he did.

Choose Joy . . . your life is up to you! I pretty much loved everything about the theme, and went to work on outlines and illustrations, connected with the worship leader, and was all set . . . and then life happened, as only life could. As I mentioned in my last briefing, three very tough things came my way (all of which are still at play today), and I was truly put to the test.

Driving through the hills over to Forest Home in the San Bernardino Mountains, I caught sight of unfamiliar mountains and thought 'my goodness . . . I had no idea there is so much ore in these hillsides!' Then I drove a little closer - indeed, I moved a little closer and encountered a joyous sight as my eyes feasted on millions of poppies in bloom! Wow. Nonetheless, my mind raced ahead of my white car thinking 'how will I ever be able to concentrate and teach what I'm meant to deliver?!' I wracked my brain for who I could call to pray for me as I drove and then remembered what I had taught at Bible study the day before - 'oh yeah, I'll do that,' I encouraged myself.

That Thursday I had taught on what Jesus is doing these days 
- he is praying for us ... literally sitting at the right hand of God and interceding for us.1 'So Jesus, you know what I need,' I breathed about my foggy, stressed brain and asked him to 'come and do what only he could do.'

Here's what happened. Understand that Friday night retreat sessions are always challenging because some folks have worked all or most of the day, it is at the end of the week, and all had the long drive ... ugh. I knew my energy was low, but truth be told, most of my listeners didn't know the usual 'pep in my step', thankfully. About 20 minutes in, I just stopped, stepped away from my notes and came clean, telling them exactly what my family is up against - yup, all three things. And then I said the most honest thing I could in response to all of it:
'In the midst of all of this, I know a few things to be true:
God is good
God does good
None of these things caught God off guard
God is always at work2
And though my heart aches, my joy has not been robbed one iota
because I trust God.'

Then I continued to build my case for choosing true joy and living in that joy as a daily thing, which I will unpack in the next several days.

For now, two truths: "My Father is always working, and so am I,"2
Jesus said, so take heart. Though you might not see movement, though your prayers have not been answered about 'that child of yours,' God is at work.

And then, there's the lyrics of this song - a link included here, and the song attached to the podcast. The song? The Goodness of God. the link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvSuGyJQ6oM The lyrics include: "...Your mercy never failed me, all my days, I've been held in Your hands...all my life You have been faithful." Ah, you just gotta listen to it. It is so solid.

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 - Hebrews 7.25
2 - John 5.17