My sermon today is taken from Philippians 4:4-7. It is a letter from jail to God’s people and it is saturated with joy. What helps me as I contemplate Paul’s advice to “rejoice always” is remembering that he writes his letter from prison, while awaiting trial and anticipating death.

 

It requires that we hold onto two realities at once: the reality of the world’s brokenness in one hand, and the reality of God’s love in the other.

 

Joy.  It is growing in the attachment love of God for us, shifting our awareness to Christ in prayerful silence and words, and living in the peace and guarding of God.

 

With God, there is always joy. You always belong. You are always loved. You are deeply accepted by God. God will never leave you.

 

The guarding of the God of Life, Be on you,

The guarding of the loving Christ be, On you,

The guarding of the Holy Spirit, Be on you,

To aid and uphold you each day, And night of your life.

The guarding of God, The guarding of Christ, The guarding of the Holy Spirit,

Be upon you.

 

With you on the Joyful Journey, 

 

Rob+