Joy for the Journey

In Hebrews 12:2, we read “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (NIV). What was it that enabled Jesus to endure the horror and agony of the cross? And what was it that helped Him to continue through hardships until He had completed His work here on earth? It was the ‘joy’ that was set before Him.

This verse serves as a powerful encouragement that regardless of what we are facing, and no matter how difficult our journey may be, we too can make it through whatever life brings our way! For that to happen, we need to have a powerful ‘joy’ in our life. And then, we need to stay focused on that ‘joy’ regardless of what happens to us, or what we have to walk through. Peter shows us both the power of staying focused on that ‘joy’, and the results when we do not, in Matthew 14 where he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. The challenge, of course, is to not allow our storm to distract us from keeping our eyes on our source of joy. An additional promise to this story is the reminder that when we do allow our storms to get the best of us, Jesus is right there to reach out and help us get back on track.

But what ‘joy’ can we have that will enable us to endure whatever we may be facing in life? There are many possibilities, but one is found in 2 Corinthians 4:17, where we read “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”. While our difficulties may at times seem overwhelming, they will not last forever. And our efforts to keep going, trusting in the Lord’s help along the way, will be worth it when we see what they have accomplished. Weeping may endure for a night. But joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5 (KJV) So stay focused, and trust in the Lord to get you through your storm and to reach your destination!

Brett Ellington is not only the Bereavement Coordinator for PruittHealth Hospice, he is also training to be one of our Hospice Chaplains.  Brett has been with PruittHealth since 2019. Before that he has many years in pastoral ministry.