Joy 2.0

You shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and the trees of the field will clap their hands
Isaiah 55:12
 
This promise is to those who seek the Lord with all their heart. (v. 6) Of course, life can close in on us, or fall to pieces, or we lose our direction, we long for a life worth living and a purpose that re-energizes and motivates us. As the prophet said, “Give ear and come to me, hear me that your soul may live.” (v. 3) There are times when joy seems to ebb away and we need inner renewal. For those who feel like that, this promise is for you: “Seek the Lord while he may be found.” Joy in God is infinitely more than pleasure, happiness, status or enjoyment of stuff.  When we live towards God, and seek God’s company and grace, “we shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace!”
 
Sing to the Lord for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy people of Zion!
Isaiah 12:5
 
If ever there was a mission text for the church, this is it! Isaiah is the mission prophet who writes of beautiful feet on the mountains bringing good news! Christian worship is to sing of the glories of the Gospel of Christ. Christian witness is to “let this be known to all the world.” To shine as light, to penetrate and cleanse like salt, to live as communities of the Spirit, and to sing for joy as people who believe and know and trust that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.” Yes, sing for joy!
 
Grace and peace, 

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation