I've Got the Joy

Lately, I've been listening to the wonderful band Rend Collective and their latest album entitled "The Art of Celebration" and it has really changed my way of thinking. I found their video of the story behind the album and was moved. It brought to life the idea that if I say I am in the Spirit, then I should be filled with joy.

My favorite line in this video is "seriousness is not a fruit of the Spirit, but joy is". I had never heard it put that way before, but it's so true! In our lives, churches, and devotions we strive to create an atmosphere of seriousness in awe of God, which isn't wrong, but we seem to have forgotten that God calls us to "make a joyful noise" to Him. We don't have to have all the right notes or certain instruments, or the right reverb as long as we are praising God with a joyful heart.

Think about this. In the Old Testament when God is telling Moses the rules and guidelines that were to be the basis of their faith, He commands them to set apart certain days just to celebrate! When you read about it, it sounds like He's forcing them to do this. But God knew that we would need a break, and He knew that He would need to command us to take a break. We humans are always so busy trying to meet all of our goals in "the pursuit of happiness" that we forget to take time to just celebrate. We work and work thinking that at some point we will finally have enough and we'll be happy. But the problem with that is that the pursuit of happiness is just that--a pursuit. We will never come to a point where we will always be happy. Happiness is elusive, but joy is eternal.

God wants us to call out to Him with joyful hearts. He doesn't ask for us to have it all together. He doesn't ask you to be happy with where you're at in life. He doesn't ask you to come before Him with shame or guilt. He asks you to take time to rest in His presence with joy. He wants all of you to rejoice in all of Him.

Stop working yourself to death trying to attain a level of happiness that's beyond your reach. Stop thinking you can only worship God with seriousness. God created joy. He created rest. He created laughter. He created the art of celebration. Take time to revel in the glory of God. And make a joyful noise unto the Lord.