Joy. So much joy.
It was one of those moments where the sun was peeking through the clouds just right, where you could just feel the radiance of the Father’s smile. And because of that radiance, I couldn’t stop smiling, laughing, jumping.
Friends, I got baptized!
Here’s how it happened.
Our mentor Madie presented us with an opportunity to get baptized in a nearby lake, and through a series of events, the Lord made it extremely clear to me that getting rebaptized was something he wanted me to do.
I had been baptized when I was 8 or 9 years old, and I think that in the moment, I knew what that meant. But since then- into middle school and throughout high school- my relationship with the Lord was inconsistent, marked by my own complacency and unwillingness to be all in for him.
On Thursday last week, the Lord highlighted some verses from Zechariah 2:
“Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’”
I knew it was time to let him take down my walls, walls of fear, pride, comparison, and condemnation. I knew that it was time for his fire to come and replace those walls, and for him to be my glory within! I knew it was time to say yes to Him, once and for all. To declare that forever and ever, for the rest of my days, all I wanted to do was live for him.
And that’s exactly what I did.
Initially, about 16 people on my squad were going to get baptized, but that number morphed into about 22! It was a day of celebration and absolute joy. Pure joy.
Fast forward to this week. It’s been nothing short of difficult and overwhelming. The Lord spoke over this week and told me it would be one of “tiredness”. Not really what I wanted to hear coming into a new week!
Why would you want me to feel exhausted and worn out, Lord? What are you trying to teach me through tiredness?
He taught me a lot about rest, for one thing. How I’m wired when it comes to rest, and when I need to rest. But something else that has been coming up this week is the phrase- “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
In a week where the joy of last week has seemingly dissipated, I have to remind myself that it really hasn’t. Even though the joy isn’t as tangible it’s still there. In a week where I’m exhausted and overwhelmed physically, mentally, spiritually- his joy is my strength. Joy is something I get to choose, every. single. day. And when I choose that joy, even when I’m tired, I get to soak in that strength and find rest for my weary soul.
When I wake up in the morning, just as tired as the night before, I can still choose to greet the Lord and say “good morning God!” even if I’m not feeling it.
I’m not writing this blog because I got it dialed down. I still don’t fully know how to choose His joy everyday, and most days I find it really hard to. But if you’re like me and having a pretty rough week- I wanted to encourage you and let you know that you don’t have to do it on your own strength. He is waiting, inviting you to choose into his joy and find your strength in him. So, I wanted to ask you:
How can you choose into His joy today?
Thanks for keeping up with me and my journey! As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to talk!
Emma
We are glad that you had the opportunity to remove any doubt about your baptism. Your assurance can always be in Him.
Your observations about joy are very true. With joy from God you aren’t reduced to relying on emotion or “spiritual highs”, or your own strength or energy level. Think of the people you met in Lake Charles and how despite their circumstances, still had joy in the hearts and concern for others in their community. How many times did you hear “oh so many people have it worse off than me.” Their house was gutted….all of their possessions in a trash pile at the curb. I remember the lady Kelly whose home we worked in. She had almost nothing left and we had gutted her home. But Kelly had carefully stacked a set of dishes at the curb so that someone else could benefit from them. Despite her great loss, she still wanted to share with others.
Kelly….Miss Berline…., and so many others give us examples of choosing joy. And now thank you for sharing your daily walk (and struggle) to encourage us as well.
God Bless – Perry and Patty
Sweet Emma ???? What a beautiful way to look at joy ! I have to say that by choosing Joy daily it not only becomes a Fantastic habit but through it God teaches us how to live I mean really live ! How to balance our emotions against our exhaustion and bring it all in to glorify Him .. So amazing !!! I love reading your journey it makes my heart so full ! I love you ?? I am praying for you and your team ! I am beyond proud of all that you do ??
God surrounds you, overshadows you, he dances over you with singing! Great post Emma. Love ya
Precious girl. It is in our weakness His fullness prevails. Thank you for relaying all Christ is shoeing you and teaching you. What a blessing to have others to walk with you. Depending on others in our weakness is crucial as the body of Christ. I think society teaches us to buck up and do it, but not as a follower of Jesus. Not only does He provide the strength when we are absolutely exhausted, but He provides His people which is then that we receive and experience His joy. JOY Jesus, Others, yourself. I love you dear one and thank you for sharing your journey
Sweet girl, I love you and love reading your blog. I am thrilled with joy to hear about each new discovery you are experiencing in Christ. He loves you so very much! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Em,
What a fortunate young woman you are, to learn how God’s JOY is one of the most important benefits that He gives us! And it is NEW and present every morning, every day, every evening, all the time. Your baptism must have been a special experience. What a blessing.
And YOU are a blessing to so many. Thank you for sharing such precious moments in your life.
God’s blessings and protection on you, dear one.
Love, Louann
So encouraged and challenged by you…and sharing your joy in baptism!
Yes joy is a daily choice and I choose it again today…thanks for keeping me in track. Xxoo
I just wrote,but it didn’t submit. My bad. Let me know if you find it
nana
WONDERFUL post, Emma!! And so encouraging! Ever since the Paradise Fire when I lost my home and ALL of our Life acquired memories / mementos in it, I’ve found that I MUST choose joy, otherwise Life as we know it, especially this crazy year of 2020, will take us down the road of Depression….NOT a good road to travel!
May the Lord CONTINUE to sustain and lead you in this part of your Life Journey! You are much-loved and appreciated!
honored to witness you choose joy in the mundane! you inspire me emma girl! i am just so proud of you friend
WOW EMMA!!! I’m so proud of you. You walk so boldly in your identity of a loved, cherished, chosen, daughter of the King.