Joy Regardless

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." (Isaiah 12:6)

And the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 35:10)

My week was really good. I spent Monday  basking in the sun and blogging. I was very productive and it felt great. Tuesday I babysat and it was a little bit stressful, but it wasn't a big deal. Bible study went well on Wednesday evening, and I tutored one of my favorite kids in the world on Thursday.

Yesterday, my friend Anna and I had a girl's date and we were able to go to Asheville for lunch and a movie. She took me out to see Pitch Perfect 2 (which was cute but not as good as the first one), and eat at Stone Ridge Tavern. It was YUM! We had an awesome time and it was so good to see her.

This evening, our church is having a Missions Night. We have several missionaries speaking at our church with a meal to follow. We will be hearing all about what God is doing in their lives. I think it will be really good.

As you can tell, my week was very enjoyable and fairly laid-back. I was very blessed by all the good that came, but last night I was reminded that even if my week hadn't been good- even if had been terrible- we are called to joy in the Lord. We are urged to  make Him our ultimate reward, regardless of what our days hold. Why? Because He redeemed us and made us whole by giving His son over to death- for us.

Do we really need anything else? No. We like to think we do... but we don't. And that is why our joy should be in Him. And that is why we should always have joy in the Lord, regardless of our circumstances.

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