Love and Joy

These are two words heard often this time of year. I have written about the fruits of the Spirit before, but I feel led to try and do different ones this year. I will admit that writing about these is throwing me a bit because I feel like my thoughts about them have changed. I question what love is and do we actually show this to those we come in contact with? Do I really have the JOY that God wants me to have?

During Chanukah candles are lit. The Shemah (servant) candle is the one that lights the rest of them every night. HIS LOVE. He was the ultimate servant, and yet a King.

The LOVE of God is shown to us during Chanukah. It is the time that He chose to have His one and only Son conceived. At conception there is a flash of light that happens. Chanukah is the Festival of Lights. His timing is always perfect.

I am learning to rely on His LOVE more and more. His LOVE should be all I need. And yet... He made us for community here on earth. Finding that community is often difficult. It makes it challenging to find the JOY that He wants us to have.

The first night of Chanukah Love lights Joy. JOY is supposed to be felt at depths that happiness is not. When we don't understand HIS LOVE, JOY is much harder to find.

I believe that throughout the whole Bible there is a teaching of LOVE. Even in the middle of the judgement and wars that God allows, His ULTIMATE plan and DESIRE is for LOVE to win. When we show HIS LOVE, HE WINS. 

Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains may leave and the hills be removed,

but my grace will never leave you,

and my covenant of peace will not be removed,”

says Adonai, who has compassion on you. (CJB)

In the ESV the translation uses the word, “love” instead of grace:

For the mountains may depart

    and the hills be removed,

but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,

    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”

    says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (ESV)

John 15:12

This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you.

Ephesians 4:2

Always be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love, (CJB)

HIS DESIRE - which should be our desire - is for LOVE to WIN. And when LOVE WINS, JOY will overflow.

Ecclesiastes 9:7

So go, eat your bread with joy,

and drink your wine with a happy heart,

for God has already accepted your deeds. (CJB)

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said to them, “Go, eat rich food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who can’t provide for themselves; for today is consecrated to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of Adonai is your strength.” (CJB)

Psalm 47:2

Clap your hands, all you peoples!

Shout to God with cries of joy! (CJB)

John 16:22

So you do indeed feel grief now, but I am going to see you again. Then your hearts will be full of joy, and no one will take your joy away from you. (CJB)

As you begin this Chanukah celebration, take time to reflect on HIS LOVE and JOY. May you experience it in a deeper way this year. Hold them dear to your heart and let it overflow to those around you. Know that HE has has the perfect timing for everything in your life. I am reminding myself of the same thing this year...

Love and blessings,

Rose