We cannot always chose the emotion of Joy, however, in reality, we largely are able to do this. Sometimes just by praying the Lord's Prayer.
I've volunteered for three and half years in the community and I'd like to recall this particular person who decided to choose joy.
The Gospel of John begins with a promise given - John is speaking of the Glory and Light of God he has promised not to disclose of Jesus' transfiguration. Luke 1 begins with the life story of a barren Priest of God. And in leaning into God - faith, hope and Love are discovered to change lives.
Hebrews 12:28-29
28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
A young man of sixteen told me his story.
At age 12, his family, who had a lot of experience with the slum situation of prison institutionalization, had his parents tell him - they were permanently done with him. His parents did not care about him.
He was cast aside. He spent the next two years in and out of juvenile detention centers. And he recalled with me that his grandfather advised him to become one of the people who like to be in prison where meals and shelter are provided. As the grandfather had done.
And the system began to give him strength in counseling to see - no one deserves to be abandoned by their parents. Nothing he could ever do would earn that as a punishment.
And he said this was his strength, the truth on his side. I marveled at him. And did see that he had held this truth to his soul. Truth of the way, truth and Life Jesus taught. I saw the beginnings of a man who would understand love and commitment building the framework, the hard work, of where happiness could dwell.
This Journey's Son, Child of God, was beginning to understand where God held him in his life.
The fourteen-year-old was released to the Minister's custody.
The homeless boy was given a sofa because that was available. And introduced and taken to GED training where he earned his GED at age 14. And a job was found. Not many jobs are available to young men with a record and a GED at age 14. A job was found cleaning construction sites at night, 5 nights a week. The construction company began to like the boy. The wage rose to be that of a man's wage. The boy found an apartment.
And when this young man found violence in his new home life - he learned to walk away. Go for a long walk. The walks led him to find another place to live. And the others he lived with agreed with this stance and approved. The Minister who had failed was learning - that his failure was saving a dear life.
A new life was being created.
And the new life worth living called for commitment and self-denial, stamina, thinking, and trust in God for Hope. And a man of sixteen was looking very pleased that he knew a few profound things to set his life in order. The minister and the boy found that when he turned eighteen, he was going to have a job with the full-time job of the minister in a career he could earn a livable and working living for the rest of his life. How? The Minister knew a few things that pertain to being blessed by God.
We know more lives will be helped by the formerly barren Priest. And the formerly abandoned child.
Giving back to the community? Sometimes - the community gives a whole lot back of themselves just in the Hope their soul brings forth.
Thank You God for the Reason for the Steadfast Love. Even in fish, You were known to put Your hands in there and feed us!
We thank You in Jesus Christ for our blessings of Strength and fire in the Holy Spirit. Fire millenniums ago Moses found to be a sustaining fire of infinite beauty. Blessed are You Lord God. In Jesus. Amen.
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