Christian Joy

     Over the past week the word JOY has been popping up at me from Scripture. I have also been feeling joyful as our day of departure to the Philippines draws nearer. I remember feeling this way when we prepared to go for our mission training in Mexico last November. I have a feeling God has something SO much bigger than anything we've ever known or prepared for.
     This time last year we were preparing for our trip to Big Woods for the "Come and See" event. We were so excited to see if this was for real and as the time got closer to go, the joy was overwhelming. The kids would picture all the "far away" places they would love to go. Their joy was infectious. Finally, the day came and within 13 hours we were in south Louisiana praying and singing praises to the Lord with strangers we had just barely met. It was awesome! It was for real!
     Jesus was calling us to serve Him. My dream was coming true. It was not just a thought or some fantasy. It was more than that. He was calling us to serve Him in a deeper way. For some reason, I felt that there had to be more than what we were doing. We always went to Mass on Sunday and had our prayer time at home. I even volunteered my time to serve on the parish council for St. Anthony's in Wichita hoping to become a more "important" part of the Church. Still, my soul was thirsting for more.
     Today's reading from Jeremiah 15: 15-16  in the Liturgy of the Hours we read "When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart..." In our last year in Kansas, we had started to regularly go to daily Mass. It was a very joyful time for me to hear the Word of Life. I never wanted to leave. I really believed that Heaven came to Earth and the more that I read the Bible the more I felt alive.
     God's timing is perfect! From the time that we heard the call to missions, it seemed as if God was reassuring us. The priest would pray at Mass, "...for all missionaries in the field..." or the day would be the feast of a missionary saint. After this, I would look down the pew and all eyes were looking back to see if I caught the keyword. All smiles.
     The thing that got me more and more though was the way the words jumped out from the book. Had I read this before? What version is this? Yup, Jesus was opening my eyes and my heart to listen to that reading on that day for a reason. Here are some of the verses that were read during that time of waiting:

Mathew 19:21 "Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide."

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation."

Luke 12:22-23 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."

     Again, this is not like we had never heard these verses before. These were the same words over and over through the years but with a new meaning and with a new energy. We felt God's presence ever nearer. God's Word was coming alive and jumping out to reach us. God was calling us now.  We had to answer and jump for JOY!
     Jesus calls everyone every day. He wants you! He loves you! Answer Him today and invite Him into your heart. Be sincere and be ready to listen. I know that what you hear will make you feel more alive than ever! Trust Him!