Last night’s news that Ukraine has been invaded by Russia hit the already-reeling Canadian Church. Yet another catastrophe! How much can we all endure, how dark will these days get? In this last week, we’ve been stunned by the upheaval in Ottawa and how it has revealed such a starkly different Canada than we lived in only a few years ago. I don’t know anyone that is not disturbed by what has transpired. Some of those who are reading this were deeply alarmed with the unexpected and intimidating nature of the protest and are relieved that the government put its foot down so decisively. Other readers feel an affinity with Freedom Convoy protest and are equally —or perhaps even more— alarmed by the intensity of the federal government’s response.
To top it off: the invasion of Ukraine, the Trucker Protest, and the Emergencies Act— are all landing after two years of Covid, years marked with great loss, conflict, and fear. For some, the most difficult years of their lives.
I’m not oblivious to any of this, but rather, it’s with a real awareness of this backdrop that I feel the Spirit is calling the Church in Canada to intentionally cultivate joy in our lives. Not a shallow, emotional joy, but a joy that is the very evidence of the kingdom which stands unshakable— regardless of how difficult our days are.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Rom 14:17
Allow me to unpack what I sense the Spirit is saying—
Kingdom joy is not a tone-deaf denial of our current troubles. It’s not being callous to the suffering and darkness all around us, nor does it require we disengage from our civic responsibilities, from intercession, or from caring for those in distress. Rather kingdom joy reveals our unstoppable, abundant life source: Jesus, living and shining through us. And kingdom joy reveals our awareness of the greater reality that overshadows this present darkness.
Joy is not just holy laughter and “dancing in the River” (those who were a part of the Toronto Blessing will understand those references). Joy is not just the eruption of bubbles or sparklers accompanying our cheers at weddings nor just giddy moments of celebration, be they successes, sports victories, or spiritual breakthroughs. No, joy is deeper and bigger than that. Joy is truly an evidence of the kingdom of God.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” Ps 46:4,5
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.“ Ps 4:7
The Church of the New Testament was marked by joy, primarily because they lived in the conscious reality of the resurrection and all of its downstream implications (we’ll talk about that in a minute). But it was also marked by joy because the resurrection set something spiritual in motion.
THE UNSTOPPABLE RISING
Joy is the unstoppable rising of our spirits, the buoyancy if you like, that has as its source, the wellspring of the resurrection. We are Jesus’ body— His resurrected body, so resurrection life courses through the veins of the Church, lifting our hearts, our faith, our eyes, our hope… and it looks like joy. While we may be pushed back or knocked down for a season yet the momentum that began at the resurrection hasn’t stopped. In fact, it’s unstoppable! Remember that Rome, the brutal, one-world government of the day, tried to hold back the resurrection and failed. And not just Rome, all of hell joined in, exerting a demonic full-court-press to stop Jesus from rising from the dead— to no avail. He rose and because he did and lives within us, we keep rising.
So in these really hard and confusing days, joy remains appropriate— even necessary. The early Church demonstrated how to walk this out. They let joy keep rising and colouring their lives even in the most desperate times.
Poverty — “…for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 2 Cor 8:2
Persecution— “But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:50-52
Affliction — “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” 2 Cor 7:4
Sacrifice— “Even if I am to be poured out like a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” Phl 2:17
Trials— “Count it all joy, my brothers , when you meet trials of various kinds.” Jas 1:2
Suffering— “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Pet 4:12,13
I mentioned earlier that the New Testament Church lived in the conscious reality of the resurrection and all of its implications. This meant that they (as is often the case in days of revival) were highly aware of the transient nature of this present darkness and they saw, with vibrant, high definition clarity, the eternal, unshakable kingdom that is our destiny.
THE NEW CREATION
Specifically, they understood that Jesus is the firstfruits from the dead and because he has risen, we too will be resurrected with similar, glorified bodies (1 Cor 15:42-58). This time that we now live in is a short season of struggle, but our glorious future is settled. He will renew all of creation, setting wrong things right and bringing perfect justice to the earth (Dan 2:44, Rom 8:18-21, Rev 21:1-8).
This truth should light up our lives as it did for the early Church. They called it their hope, and lived fearlessly, generously, and joyfully, in the glorious brightness of this revelation (1 Pet 1:3, 1 Thes 4:13).
I believe the Lord is prophetically urging us into joy right now as a radical, unexpected, evidence of the kingdom. A sign that testifies to a greater reality.
Yet… I’m aware that we can’t simply flick an internal switch if joy has been sparse in our lives, and we don’t want to fake it. We need God’s help. Here are some steps we can take to respond to this prophetic call to restore authentic joy to our hearts. Ways to nurture joy.
Soak your thoughts in the scriptures- Allow God’s truth to reorient you and wash you of anxiety. Don’t just read, slow down and let truth sink in. Ponder his promises of the coming kingdom, meditate on his commitment to us and his power that raises dead things to life. Let the scriptures open and lift your eyes.
Cast your burden upon the Lord - this means release it to him in prayer. As you do this you’re shifting the troubles of your life to his shoulders, and when that’s thoroughly done, you enter into his rest. You abide in his rest and that’s joyful. Certainly, he will prompt you to intercede again, but your default posture can be free from the hyper-responsibility which is so often just anxiety with a spiritual hat on. Stay in rest.
Let the Lord lead you in prayer, not the news— Don’t let the news be what primarily prompts you to prayer. Of course, stay reasonably informed, but don’t constantly track with the news. Instead, let the Spirit direct your prayers so you end up praying as Jesus would pray (this is praying in his name). “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Jn 16:24
Specifically ask the Lord for joy— If you notice that joy is lacking, ask the Lord to increase it in your life, then give it permission to manifest. This is what David did when he prayed, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” (Ps 51:12a)
As Christians, we remain citizens of our earthly nation, Canada, and at the same time citizens of heaven. We are in this world but not of this world. So while it’s appropriate for Canadian Christians to be lamenting in this moment (like all Canadians are), still we remember— that’s not ALL of who we are. The citizen of heaven dimension of who we are also needs to be expressed. While we can and should express our lament for our nation and the nations of the world, let’s still allow the joy of the Lord to mark our lives, revealing that we are also citizens of an unshakable, unstoppable kingdom.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Rom 15:13
Great and timely article Sara. I love this line on soaking in the scriptures, "Don’t just read, slow down and let truth sink in." We need some marinating.
This is a really beautiful, timely word, Sara. He IS showing us many elements of what His Kingdom looks like. Joy is perhaps not one we have paid attention to, but here you have laid out His compelling call of righteousness, peace AND JOY!