A Daily Reflection by guest writer, Catherine Engel
Why do we find it so hard to be joyful? The world is in chaos just now, which Richard Rohr would call Disorder, but how do we find joy in all the turbulence and upheaval? Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us: “. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength.” How do we get from feeling out of control to feeling joy? Of course, we can look out at a beautiful Colorado bluebird sky and feel joy that the fires are under control, at least for now, but how do we get from a fleeting moment of pleasure to real joy?
I think it comes down to a choice to let God be in control. He’s been at this a long time, and He may have in mind something far different for us than what we can imagine for ourselves. This is not to ignore our feelings of anxiety and panic; of course, we must feel them fully before we can begin to let go and let God handle it. It comes down to trusting whatever plan the Spirit has for us.
Joy is an inner sense of the rightness of things, even when we cannot comprehend what we see all around us. When we feel out of control, many of us get panicky, and our stomachs clench and our breathing becomes quick and shallow. We don’t feel good. Contrast that with the easy feeling of joy, that sense that all is
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well with the world, because the Holy One is in charge and we no longer have to worry about anything.
We may have to wait a while for the Order to appear after the time of Disorder, but eventually it will return. Both states are normal for human life, and usually after a time of upheaval, we notice that many good things have come about simply because we needed the push to make change. Growing is hard to do, and if we don’t have to do it, we won’t. It’s much more pleasant to stay locked into our little safe, secure, known world than to imagine what might grow from our discomfort.
When we phrase it that way, it almost makes the Disorder seem exciting. What wondrous new things will come to pass because we allowed this growth to happen? Now the joy can really burst forth, because we understand that our Creator has something much better in store for us than we could have ever dreamed of for ourselves. Old Nehemiah was right. Our joy really is in God’s strength. May we allow it to be so.
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Schedule of Sunday Services
Nov 15 - Father Michael; 5:00 p.m. via ZOOM
Nov 22 - Deacon Rosean; 5:00 p.m. via ZOOM
Nov 29 - Pastor Jane: 11:00 a.m. via ZOOM with hosted community chat rooms
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For Lauren Roob friend of Rosanna Bateman. Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction.
For Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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For peaceful repose of the souls of those who've passed and comfort for the families.
For Margie Weitz, member. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones.
Bob - Husband of Joyce Dehaven,
friend of Cathy Engel
David Heyman - member
Teri Kent - member
Pat DeMuth -sister of Jim DeMuth, member
Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister, member
Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member
Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane
Bill, Greg, and Calvin -
friends of Deacon Rosean
And for Ted Boltz and comfort for Fr. Frank Quintana and family - an ECC Pastor of St. Oscar Romero, ECC in Albuquerque.
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Our Service Recordings and More
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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