The Hobbs family really loves our Christmas tree Daily Cup family, which is why we never take ours down right after the New Year comes in.
Personally, I am fond of its soft luminescent glow that casts silent shadows on the walls at night. Its glare, acting as an ornate night light, chases the darkness away, adding a sense of calm and serenity to the atmosphere. Its presence creates a feeling of warmth and festiveness—something I enjoy long after the holiday season is over.
Long, long after...
I am the friend or relative to whom you might say, “Girl, when are you going to take that tree down?”
I never have the answer to that, though. I just laugh at myself and shrug.
Every year, my husband Kenya, the kids, and I wait until the mood strikes us to undress our artificial evergreen, and place it back in storage. We allow its holiday reign to continue for as long as we see fit.
But, as much as we want to hold onto the outward remnants of the Christmas season, I know at some point, the lights must be unstrung. The ornaments must be unhooked from the branches. The tree must be disassembled.
That's why I'm so glad our joy does not lie in the outward trappings of the holidays, or in any temporal thing for that matter.
Wouldn't life be so depressing if our contentment and satisfaction were inextricably tied to tangible things and circumstances? We would go to pieces at the first sign of trouble or lack.
And that's not the kind of life God wants us to live.
He wants us to know that authentic joy in every season is connected to nothing other than our relationship with Jesus Christ—the true source of everything good and perfect.
As long as we have Him, even if all the trappings supposedly representative of joyfulness are gone, we can yet hold onto authentic joy, peace, strength and love overflowing.
It's that “Jesus Joy” about which the seasoned saints sing, "This joy I have the world didn't give it to me. The world didn't give it, and the world can't take it away!"
No matter what we face, the intangible and eternal riches gained through life with Christ, trump all else. When we realize and understand that Jesus truly is the center of our joy, that’s when we have authentic joy.
In sickness and wellness, we have joy.
In plenty and in want, we have joy.
When it’s sunny and when it’s cloudy, we have joy.
As long as we have Christ, we have joy.
To remind you of this truth, I'm stirring 1 Peter 1:8 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you will be reminded that your life is rich with joy because Christ is dwelling on the inside. Despite what you see or don't see in your life, the One who is unseen is most valuable of all.
Right now, there’s a song ringing in my soul that says, “Jesus, You’re the center of my joy. All that’s good and perfect comes from You. You’re the source of my contentment, hope for all I do. Jesus, You’re the center of my joy.”
Now let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for reminding me that authentic joy comes from You alone. Each day that I live, in both good and bad times, remind me that without You, all else is meaningless. But with You in my life, I have everything I'll ever need. Thank You for being in my life God and bringing immeasurable joy to me day after day. Forever, I will serve You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
