The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song. (Is 35:1-2a)
Desert and parched land? Flowers blooming? Joyful song?
I am not seeing or hearing a whole lot of that these days.
Instead, I am seeing a lot of snow, feeling a lot of cold, and hearing a lot of grumbling about the weather.
However, it IS time to rejoice.
Today is Gaudete Sunday and is, in effect, a “break” of sorts halfway through the somewhat penitential season of Advent. It gives us time to consider our gracious and loving God.
Sometimes we get overwhelmed with our lives and begin to think that there is nothing good out there at all. We get bogged down with things in our lives and look for ways out.
There is plenty of good out there. There is plenty that is holy, loving, kind, considerate, enduring. There is reason to hope — great reason to hope.
If our gaze has been shifting to the negative, this is the day to refocus and remember that our God gives us plenty about which we could rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice!
FAITH ACTION: In quiet prayer today, make a list of five things that give you great reason for joy. Celebrate them!