TODAY IS…

perfect for seeing the joy in each day.

“And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.”  Proverbs 8:32 NLT

“Don’t worry, be happy!”

“Jump for joy!”

No matter how you want to say it, today is the perfect day to be joyful! What’s so special about today? Because every day is a gift from God, and each new day becomes the new today.

Too many of us waste too many days always being mentally prepared for the clouds that do, indeed, creep into each and every life. There are inevitable events that occur that may bring moments where we are hurt, feel pain, or experience loss. These clouds that pass over cannot be stopped just as the clouds that cross the sky cannot be stopped.

Be that as it may, we all are aware that beyond those clouds, the sun still shines brightly and is only momentarily blocked from our view while we receive some much needed shade or rain, which gives life to everything on earth. So we welcome the clouds and the storms that they bring, knowing they will pass.

It is no different with the “clouds” that bring the “storms” of our lives.

The storms may be unpleasant, but they bring us the ability to learn about ourselves and to grow. The important thing to remember is that God, like the sun, is always there. Even when the pain in our heart or the trials we are experiencing block us from the joy of knowing God, we can still be joyful knowing He is there.

Sometimes it can be difficult to be joyful when surrounded by sadness. Imagine the tremendous sadness that befell Jesus’ disciples when He was crucified. These were individuals who were the recipients of teaching and reassurance from the mouth of the Lord Himself, and even though they were forewarned of His crucifixion, and in spite of the fact that Christ foretold of His resurrection, they were still unable to be joyful knowing that He was going to return.

Jesus ultimately stood before them and allowed them to touch Him and see Him and finally “… they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder.” (Luke 24:41a NLT).

It is not always a simple thing to see the joy that can be found in each and every day, but it is there. Perhaps a storm cloud has moved in front of it, but it is still there, just as God is always there.

Even though it may be difficult sometimes, we must always remember that knowing God brings joy to our daily existence, and even though there may be times when God and the joy He gives us may be blocked from view, both are still very near to us.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson