Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Inexpressible joy. Unbounded. Unconstrained. Unleashed.
Words can be beautiful, particularly when they don’t simply reflect a future condition. Joy is not a pending posture for our soul. It’s available now. And not a “lite” version. Full on joy.
Inexpressible.
Not a naïve or uninformed joy. Not a momentary lapse into a positive frame of mind. Inexpressible joy is:
Circumstance transcending.
Tribulation enduring.
Reality embracing.
Tear wiping.
Love rooted.
Pain sharing.
Hope fueled.
Faith propelled.
Spirit empowered.
Community celebrated.
Scripture informed.
Presently available.
Eternally present.
Redemption exhausts the power of darkness. Grace unlocks the bondage of futility. Love empowers the strength of humility. Inexpressible joy.
Circumstance independent.
Without a clean bill of health;
absent a bulging retirement account;
liberated from perfect performance;
in the very face of doubt and trouble;
un-dampened by headlines, blog posts, or Facebook rants.
Joy.
Contagious. Outrageous. Compelling. Defining.
Now.
Not waiting for us some day. Not reserved and yet to be ready. Now.
Joy. Linked inextricably to the overcomer.
On the brink of mankind’s darkest hour… Jesus found words of hope, words of courage, words of peace, words of joy:
“I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
Joy inexpressible because of Jesus; only in Jesus; always in Jesus.
Unlock joy.
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