Scripture: John 15:11 (NRSV)
“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
Reflection:
Joy can feel complicated, especially in a world filled with pain. For many of us, joy seems fragile or even suspicious. We worry that noticing joy might mean ignoring suffering, downplaying what others face, or pretending everything is better than it is. So, we keep joy at arm’s length, waiting for circumstances to improve before embracing it.
But the joy Jesus speaks of here is not circumstantial or naive. It is rooted. It grows out of connection, out of abiding in love, staying close, and remaining present with one another even when life is uncertain. This joy does not deny grief or bypass difficulty. It exists alongside them, shaped by trust that love is still at work.
This kind of joy takes time. It does not rush in or announce itself loudly. It quietly takes root in shared life, in being known and still welcomed, in laughter that surprises us after a hard conversation, and in moments of relief that come because we are not carrying everything alone.
In community, joy becomes possible even when circumstances remain unresolved. It is maintained not by optimism, but by relationships. When faith is practiced together, joy increases not because everything is fixed, but because connection keeps us steady.
A faith that shows up creates space for this kind of joy — patient, grounded, and genuine. Joy that doesn’t demand perfection. Joy that takes root where love is shared.
Practice:
Pay attention today to a moment of joy that quietly arises through connection, relief, or shared presence. Let it be enough, just as it is.
Journaling Prompt:
What makes it difficult for you to trust joy? Where have you observed joy developing alongside difficulty rather than replacing it?
Prayer:
God of deep joy, help us receive joy not as denial, but as a gift. When life feels heavy, teach us to notice the quiet ways love continues to grow among us. Let joy take root where we stay connected. Amen.