JOY AND PEACE

Philippians 4:4-7
In this season of Advent, the themes of “joy” and “peace” are continually encountered – on cards, holiday decorations and in music and stories streaming forth from shop displays and from churches. Yet “joy” and peace often seem elusive at this time of year. Loneliness, family tensions, inflated expectations, unexpected crises, grief and national events make them seem just beyond our grasp, except perhaps in the gloss of holiday movie films. The elusiveness of “joy” and “peace” invite us to pause and reflect on what  it is we are seeking when we speak of “joy” and “peace.” Is it an emotional high? A state of perpetual happiness? An absence of conflict? Or do “joy” and “peace” represent hopes that have become little more than a seasonal habit? This weekʼs Philippians text (4:4-7) offers a helpful framework for exploring “joy” and “peace” in relation to the life of faith. The suggestion is that joy and peace are found not so much in the emotions they evoke, as in the attitudes, behaviours and relationships in which they are grounded. To “rejoice in the Lord always” points to a “joy” that is not only enduring, but that sustains us even when we are worn down by life challenges. This requires something more than seasonal cheerfulness. It is a “joy” rooted in an ongoing relationship, built on trust, that is able to negotiate the moments of joylessness  in ways that ultimately work for good. What is critical is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but also our relationship in community. This does not necessarily mean that everyone always agrees or gets along. Rather, it reminds us that each of us has a role to play in creating the supportive relationships that are the foundation of “joy” and a cause for “rejoicing.”

Pastor Darryl