Enjoying Life Every Moment You Live

Do you enjoy every minute of your life?  If you’re like me, you would probably have to respond with a definite no.  While we want to enjoy every moment of life, there are often circumstances beyond our control that we must endure.  Some of these circumstances, ranging from minor ones like a flat tire on the way to work to major ones like the loss of a loved one, serve to squelch any positive feelings we may have when we first get out of bed in the morning.  Still, Jesus says that we should enjoy every day of our lives.  How can we enjoy everyday life, even in this imperfect world in which we live?  Jesus knew that life would be hard at times, so He tells us how to have joy on our journey.  In reality, it is not about enjoying every day of our life; it’s about enjoying every moment we live.

When Jesus walked on this earth, He did not experience unprecedented joy 365 days a year.  There were times when He prayed all night long, desperately seeking His Father’s will.  There were days that He was tempted by Satan.  Toward the end of His ministry, many people sought to kill Him and shortly thereafter, He was beaten and crucified.  While every day was not filled with laughter and joyous occasions, He had joy down inside of Him.  He wants His joy deep inside of us as well, so we can be full of joy at all times.  Jesus said, “‘These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full’” (John 15:11).  If we seek the will of our Heavenly Father, the joy of the Lord will remain in us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.  At the grocery store, on the job, or anytime, we can be full of joy when we follow Him.

Perhaps you are reading this, thinking, how can I possibly have joy?  I agree.  There are some things in life that are so very difficult to overcome.  In these moments, it is nearly impossible to find joy in the midst of our sorrow.  I am reminded of the days that my parents and I prepared funerals for my two baby brothers.  They were both born premature.  They never even had the opportunity to come home from the hospital.  Maybe you have also experienced grief through the loss of a child or another loved one.  Jesus gave us detailed instruction on how to find joy during difficult times.  Jesus states, “‘Therefore you now have sorrow; but […] your joy no one will take from you. […] Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’” (John 16:22, 24).  No one can take away your joy.  While my parents and I grieved the loss of my baby brothers, we knew that God had a greater plan for our lives.  We knew that God would restore our joy, even though it seemed like a hopeless time in our lives.  God’s promises are true and He never fails.  If He promises that our sorrow will be turned into joy, then rest assured that it will happen (John 16:20).

You may be thinking...it’s too late.  My joy was gone a long time ago.  I gave it away.  There’s no way I’m ever getting it back.  I exchanged it for drugs, alcohol, or some other outlet that promised to bring me joy for a fleeting moment.  Your battle may be a personal one, where you are engaging in activities that are harmful to you physically, emotionally, or mentally.  Each day goes by and you wonder why you were even placed upon this earth.  You wonder if you will ever have joy again.  I want to encourage you today.  You were put on this earth for a purpose.  God knew that you would exist long before you were ever born.  You matter.  Put your trust in Jesus Christ.  There is joy to be found in the midst of your trials.  No matter what you are going through, Jesus will give you hope for a brighter future and joy to replace your sorrows.  Jesus loves you.  He gave His life for you.  Through His death, your sins have been washed away.  You are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God!  Call on the name of Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. 

If you are a Christian, there could be coworkers, friends, or family members who are trying to discourage you in your faith.  In the book of James, Christians are given the following advice: “‘[C]ount it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience’” (James 1:2).  Joy gives us the strength necessary to endure sorrowful times, or to overcome persecution from believers and non-believers alike.  Nehemiah 8:10 states, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  The Lord will give us strength to face every single challenge that life throws our way.  Does this mean that we should thank God for our trials?  No.  James shares this wisdom so we know that these trials, though difficult, will make us stronger.  We should rejoice in our trials, not for our trials.

Even in the midst of these trials, though, we can still enjoy living.  We may not enjoy everything that happens in life, but we can enjoy the fact that we are alive.  We can also enjoy more abundant life by applying the fruits of the spirit to our daily existence.  God’s Word declares, ^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).  By applying these “fruits” to our individual lives, we can learn to experience joy on a daily basis.  Psalm 1:3 says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”  The fruits of the spirit will enable us to succeed in everything we do: great or small.  Through these successes, our lives will take on a greater meaning and we can experience divine happiness, something that cannot come from the worldly pleasures we encounter.  Divine happiness is God-given.  It is a type of joy that abounds when life is wonderful and even when times are tough.  Through this joy in our lives, we can enjoy living life, even with the flat tires that inconvenience us and the great losses that threaten to overwhelm us.

God created this earth and He provides us daily with the means to enjoy and value everyday life.  While some days will be harder than others, we can face each day with the calm assurance that God is in control.  We can boldly go forth, with the assurance that He will always bring us joy, even in the depths of despair.  While we may not always enjoy every moment in life, we can certainly be grateful for and enjoy every moment we are alive.  Every day is a blessing from above.  I Timothy 6:17 states, God “gives us richly all things to enjoy.”  God wants us to be joyful.  He wants us to rejoice in our trials, not for our trials.  By focusing on the fruits of the spirit as the backbone of our countenance, we can truly enjoy every moment we live.  By doing so, we can value life and live a life of value.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

New Eyes

Sitting here across from a gorgeous waterfall, I cannot help but wonder why God’s peace often seems so far away.  Looking up through the trees, I see evidence of new growth sprouting forth from every limb.  Spring is here.  A new beginning.  Yet, I feel that I am trapped, unable to fully sense the complete beauty of God’s budding creation all around me.  There once was a time when I considered this to be the most peaceful place on earth.  Nearly three years ago, in the blink of an eye, it transformed into one of the most disturbing places on earth, at least in my mind.  Since that night, I have been praying diligently for a new perspective, a new set of eyes that allow me to see the peaceful beauty, as opposed to the images of the most difficult night of my life.

Since that horrific night, I have had countless nightmares recounting the details of that frightful experience.  For me, returning to our camper in North Carolina could be likened to returning to the scene of an accident.  Only in this case, there was no accident.  Still, the images of the night seem as if they will be forever etched into my permanent memory bank.  When I sit on our sofa, I think of that night.  When I walk over to our neighbors, I think of that night.  When I stand anywhere inside or outside our camper, I think of that night.

The moment my Mom sat up, her eyes staring straight ahead, my heart fell to the pit of my stomach.  I cried out, “Mama!  Don’t leave us!”  I prayed, “Jesus, bring her back to us.”  On the phone to 911, I pleaded with them to hurry.  I ran next door to get our neighbor, so my Dad would have help administering CPR.  I did everything I could do.  But no matter what I did, nothing changed.

That night, my Dad and I sang the most difficult song we have ever sung as a duet.  We sang the song, “Living by Faith,” to my Mom.  Undoubtedly, the hardest song I have ever sung.  Yet, somehow, even in the midst of the circumstance, the words brought a little comfort to my sorrowful soul.  While I could not have answered any questions concerning our future on that particular night, I knew that we would press on, entering the future with our heads held high.  And all the while, we would be living by faith.

As we stood outside the camper in the wee hours of the morning, we called our immediate family.  When I looked out toward the mountains, I could see the silhouette of the mountain in the distance.  God brought to mind the scripture that says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV).  Even in the darkest hour of my life, God’s presence surrounded me.  He knew that I needed His loving arms wrapped around me, holding me up when I could not stand on my own two feet.  And He sent little reminders of His promise to never leave nor forsake me, even in the bleakest of nights.

Still, I am human, so the trauma of the night began taking its toll on me.  It was after 4 o’clock in the morning before I finally laid my head down on the pillow.  I had no intention of sleeping, but I had no desire to keep reliving the last five hours over and over in my mind either.  That night, something happened that I will never ever forget.  I had gradually fallen asleep, but was awakened by what I thought was someone entering my room.  I turned to look, but did not see my Dad.  It was as if my Mom was standing there with a glow about her.  She simply said, “It’ll be alright.”  And just as quickly as the vision had appeared, the image vanished.  While I didn’t know it then, I have since realized that yes, it will be alright.  How?  I don’t know.  When?  Only God knows that.  Even so, I have the assurance that God will be with me, whether He is guiding me through nightmares or dreams, or sorrows or joys, or tears or laughter.

Now, three years later, I see things with a slightly different perspective on life.  For this, I am grateful.  Still, there are other things that I seem to be looking at with the same pair of eyes.  It is my prayer that one day God will give me a new pair of eyes, so to speak, so that I can once again clearly see the peacefulness that permeates our mountain home.  I want to be able to find a new sense of enjoyment at this beautiful location He has so graciously allowed us to call our second home.  I hope that I will one day be able to solely focus on the fond memories, as opposed to the devastating ones.  I know that God will continue to work in my life, as He has done so many times before, molding me and shaping me into the person He wants me to be.  And in His timing, I know He’ll give me a new set of eyes, so that I can see the beauty all around me once again.

What about you?  Are you struggling with nightmares of the past?  Do you find yourself dwelling over a tragic event in your life?  Is it hard to find peace or joy, despite your many attempts to gain a new perspective on life?  Friend, I am here to tell you that there is only One individual who can guide you through the treacherous storms you may face.  Jesus Christ is the Shelter from the storms.  He will calm your fears, erase your sorrow, and restore your joy.  If you are looking for a new set of eyes, call out to Jesus.  He is waiting with open arms.  He wants you to enjoy life.  He wants you to live a life full of joy.  He will cleanse your soul, renew your mind, and yes, He will give you a new set of eyes, too.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer