Every Day

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised, just as He said. Come and see the place where He was lying. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you!” So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.  Matthew 28:5-8 NET

Hurting lives we interact with will find, in us, the consolation that we have found in God.  Thus our Joy becomes contagious, “pouring” into those around us with His Joy! Sounds tangled but its so simple, God is joy. Jesus brings joy, Holy Spirit shares joy. 

And I totally believe It is possible for Jesus’ followers to be joyful and afraid at the same time. Then and now. When an angel told the women who came to His tomb that He had risen from the dead, they were “afraid yet filled with joy.” 

So do not let fear keep you from experiencing the Joy of His Presence. It is not a luxury reserved for times when our problems—and the crises in the world—seem under control. His presence is everyday, when deep in grief and anguish as much as when celebrating.