JONATHAN
Hello, I’m Jonathan Crabtree, Pastor of Student Ministries at Central – a United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. Where is joy? I find myself asking this question as I read the short writings of James. The writer begins by saying “consider it joy when you enter into trials….” How in the world would you be joyful in the midst of pain, trials, and persecutions? Joy must be different from happiness and any other emotions connected to this. I wonder if joy is knowing that one day the trials will subside.
In Acts chapter 7, Stephen is killed by having stones thrown at him. Yet, somehow he seems to have joy. He even asks forgiveness on those persecuting him. Right before he is attacked and killed, he sees Jesus Christ in a vision standing as though Jesus is cheering him on. Do you feel like Stephen? Having one stone thrown at you right after another? Have joy, because Jesus is standing up for us, and Jesus is standing with us in the middle of it all.
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