+DEV+ Joy in the Daily Grind

Date: January 26, 2011 9:28 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Joy in the Daily Grind

Joy in the Daily Grind

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus" (Romans 15:5).
Scripture Focus: Romans 15:1-13

Leave it to human nature to look forward to the wedding, but to hardly joy in the engagement; to take pleasure in the game, not the week of practice; to long for Memorial Day, not the first day of school. Achieving, accomplishing, arriving - we yearn for those. Words like waiting, delaying, and pausing stir up negative emotions.

We expect feelings of joy and peace once we attain a goal and the waiting is over. Yet Paul shows us that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, joy and peace can be experienced in the midst of waiting.

When a journey becomes a struggle, we often revert to critical comments, judgmental demands, and defensive responses. But Romans 15 challenges us to keep a spirit of unity during "the daily grind." When we're tempted to think about self rather than others, we are to "accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you" (15:7).

Show love and forgiveness to others as God has to us. He fills us with joy and peace, and our lives can overflow with His power (15:13).

Insight: When you need endurance and encouragement, continue to love and forgive others. This will bring unity and will glorify God.