Joseph was one of 12 (male) siblings. And he was highly favored. So favored, in fact, that his father gifted him a multi-colored coat...signaling to the rest of the family that Joseph was highly, if NOT the most favored, son. But, this story is about more than a pretty coat. This is the story of a journey from self-reliance to selfless abandon.
There's a "secret" to being content!?! Yep. And it's been hiding in plain sight. Finding it isn't the problem. The challenge is believing that it is actually is enough to satisfy when everything else telling you it isn't. Thankfully, there's some practical steps that can help you move toward the contentment, peace and joy that can be found in Jesus alone.
Want joy? Then watch out. Watch out for anything that anyone tells you that you need in addition to Jesus. Those things threaten to steal your joy. Consider them trash in comparison to what Jesus is ready to give you--eternal life! Jesus plus nothing equals everything. When you have that everything, you'll have joy.
If we are to experience joy, Paul instructs us to be like-minded. Yup, like-minded with Christ and with one another. A quick look at the news or social media feed reveals a culture that is NOT like-minded. It's polar. So, while like-mindedness sounds great, it will require a heart posture of sacrifice. Ironically, this posture will bring us great JOY.
Joy is hard to come by these days. We've been in a constant state of what's next - worried about viruses, about school openings, about mental health, about elderly neighbors, about the economy, about jobs in 2021. In fact, today's world feel like a lose lose kid of reality. It doesn't matter what I choose, It's not going to be right. Joy is hard to come by. Paul, in his JOY letter, describes a different way of thinking...what if we were to see everything that's happening now as a win win. How can we have joy in the middle of this strange and crazy time? Paul answers that in Philippians.
(Sent) | Sent into the Fray | Matthew 10:21-42
Being sent into the adventure with Jesus means danger. But danger doesn’t abort. Lest we forget, we enter into the Fray with Christ (In US), the Spirit guiding us and the Father guarding us. We enter into the fray with the LORD on our side…and as we’ve heard before the battle belongs to the Lord.
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