Choose Joy

https://odb.org/MY/2023/01/01/choose-joy

I recently asked someone how she is doing in terms of work, ministry, and family. Her answer was there are ups and downs. I interjected – and there is Jesus, the rock of our salvation. He is the constant in all these ups and downs.

Whether at work, ministry, or family, there will always be ups and downs. There are montain tops and there are also valleys. There are good days, and there are bad ones. Some days are uneventful, and yet some days are just so dramatic.

Over Christmas, I joined a family gathering and heard about my cousin having late stage colon cancer. It was shocking as he was a very fit runner. Two days later, we heard that he had passed on the night before, meaning he passed away on Boxing Day. I have not met him for about 35 years, and then out of the blue, we heard about this devastating news. At the wake, I met up with his brother, and we had a wonderful time talking about our childhood days and about him and his family, who are now based overseas. Sometimes life is such that we meet people from our past only during weddings and funerals.

2022, for me, has been eventful. I contracted Covid-19, my dad passed on, my eldest son graduated from university, and we went to the UK for a vacation as a family. My younger son started his first year in university. I left my previous job where I had spent my last 27 years of worklife and joined a startup of an established telco and as a result, I’m back to doing more legal work than my past 10 years. How was 2022 for you? Was it full of drama or just plain smooth sailing?

We don’t know what 2023 lies ahead for us, but we hear that it will not be a good year economically. A downturn or a recession could be forthcoming. In other words, it is expected to be a challenging year to earn a living, for ourselves, and for our companies. The advice is thus to save more, rather than spend and splurge. With the opening of borders, the temptation is to travel and spend with vengeance, but perhaps we should exercise caution and self-control?

The message today is to choose joy, no matter what we are going through. Choose to rejoice in the LORD despite our situation. It’s a verb, an active choice. Not as a result of, but notwithstanding. We rejoice in God because He is good, and His love endures forever. We can rest in the shadow of His wings, and as we wait upon Him, we may be able to have wings and soar like the eagle. Let our joy be in the Lord come 2023! Find the joy of the Lord in all that we do and are going through. Blessed 2023, everyone!