Joy In The Little Things
Download MP3Welcome to a place of peace, hope, and divine encouragement. This is Joy in Every Step with your host, beloved preacher, retired teacher, and faithful walking through the valleys or dancing on the mountaintops, Sarita's voice will guide you back to his promises step by step. So open your heart, settle your spirit, and take the next step in faith with joy in every step.
Sarita Bernadette:Hi, I'm Sarita Bernadette and welcome back to another episode of Joy in Every Step. I'm glad you're here. We're in a special time of year. It's a time when believers around the world take time to honor the birth of our Savior. And yes, we know there's evidence that we probably have the wrong date, the wrong season if you will, but we're not focused on the date of his birth we're focused on the fact of it.
Sarita Bernadette:The fact is he became flesh and dwelt among us and for that we are grateful. So these next weeks are often highly anticipated right? They promise to be filled with family, traditions, well wishes, and joy. It's easy to get swept up in the hype of it all The special services, the church events, community outreach, the commercials, the shopping, the Christmas movies, the gatherings and festivities on and on and on. For most of us it's a very busy time and there is this expectation that comes along with the season.
Sarita Bernadette:It's the presupposition that everything will be perfect. You know, the picture perfect, family centered holiday celebration when all the family descends on the family home and the mom or grandma has cooked a delicious meal complete with all the treasured dishes created from recipes handed down through generations. You know, and that house, that house where everyone has come together is perfectly decorated and it's large enough for every family member to sleep comfortably. And add the part where everyone gets exactly what they want when the gift exchange takes place. Exactly what they want no matter what the cost.
Sarita Bernadette:You get the picture. Media and social media have presented this ideal and many of us have allowed it to influence how we feel about the season. When our expectations aren't met, we can feel somewhat cheated. This can lead to feelings of disappointment, anger, stress, and even sadness for some. The season can also be a lonely time for others.
Sarita Bernadette:Perhaps one is mourning the loss of a loved one or even loved ones. Perhaps you've been impacted by separation and divorce. Maybe it's the fact that you live in a place where there is no family nearby or you might even be a caregiver and that can indeed be a lonely walk. Beloved, I want to challenge you to slow down over the next few weeks and take charge of how you're spending your time. We can get so wrapped up in the schedule we've set for ourselves that we lose focus.
Sarita Bernadette:I got a head start with this. I celebrated my birthday at the end of last week and I have to tell you the Lord really dealt with me about my expectations and where I was looking for joy. First Thessalonians five and eighteen tells us to give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. God is clear in that verse. Every circumstance has something to be thankful for.
Sarita Bernadette:Hard to believe isn't it? Yes, every circumstance. And you know the Lord led me to that famous Passover meal Jesus shared with the disciples to make his point. We know it is the Last Supper. It's recorded in all four of the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and it's the final meal they had together before the crucifixion.
Sarita Bernadette:In the book of Matthew beginning in verse 26 we read, While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body. Then he took a cup and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. Verse 28, For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Verse 30: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount Of Olives.
Sarita Bernadette:Note the simplicity in this moment, beloved. Jesus takes a loaf of bread, a simple staple. I know there's much symbolism in the act, but here's the part we're to focus on for the sake of this message. It's a piece of bread and Jesus takes the time to give thanks for it. A piece of bread.
Sarita Bernadette:He's headed to the cross yet he pauses to thank the Father for the bread. The Savior of the world blesses the bread. He then takes a cup and does the same. He thanks God for something so small. We now know this to be the origin of the Christian sacrament of the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
Sarita Bernadette:Jesus establishes a new covenant when he says, Of the bread, this is my body, and of the wine, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. This is a major New Testament event and Jesus knows what's coming. However, he pauses and he remembers to thank God. Beloved, I believe Jesus demonstrated how important it is to be thankful for the little things. Jesus again shows how important this is when he took a small amount of food five loaves and two fish in one instance or seven loaves and a few fish in another and multiplied it to feed thousands of people.
Sarita Bernadette:Before Jesus did anything with that food he looked up to heaven and he gave thanks. What if in this season, instead of lofty expectations, we shifted to radical gratitude? What if we shifted our focus to the little things? What if we did what Jesus did and we took the time to thank the source of all these things? Taking time to thank God for small things is something the Bible speaks of in Ephesians five.
Sarita Bernadette:It mentions singing songs and making melody to the Lord in our hearts and in verse 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Practicing the type of gratitude Paul references here helps us develop a heart filled with joy. So let's step into this season with grateful hearts. Let's step into this season with our minds focused on all that we are blessed with. What about that great cup of coffee?
Sarita Bernadette:That good cup of bedtime tea? What about that gas in your car? Or a comfortable pair of shoes? What about the ability to drive? The beauty and the smell of fresh flowers?
Sarita Bernadette:How about a good hot shower and just being grateful for that? What about windshield wipers when it's raining? And beloved, what about your bed? There is much to be grateful for. When we set our minds to look for the good, to look for God, we will find him everywhere.
Sarita Bernadette:The Word of God often mentions the details of the universe and how the wonders of the little things just show up all the time in our lives. If we look back in the book of Job, we find some passages of scripture that speak of some of God's creations like this one: But ask the animals and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you and the fish of the sea will declare to you, 'Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. In Psalm 9six eleven-twelve we read, Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice, let the sea roar and all that fills it. Let the field exalt and everything in it.
Sarita Bernadette:Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Yes, the birds, the plants, and the fish, the sea, and the trees, they all know and reflect our Creator. He's everywhere. Beloved, let's look for him in this season. I love the way David the psalmist and warrior often describes how God has blessed him and caused him to triumph.
Sarita Bernadette:His reflection on that brought on bouts of extreme joy. In Psalm 30 verses eleven and twelve you read, You have turned my mourning into dancing. You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy so that my soul may praise you and not be silent oh Lord my God I will give thanks to you forever That's true joy beloved. I'm grateful and I will not be silent. Psalm nine the first two verses I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.
Sarita Bernadette:I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exalt you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. When we pause and recall some of the little things the Lord has done, Someone said, If I had 10,000 tongues and ten thousand years, I couldn't give him enough praise. When we really pause to think about it, it's not the stuff, It's not the material things that make an impact during this time of year anyway.
Sarita Bernadette:It's the bonds that we create. It's those remembered experiences. It's it's the small moments that that bring a smile to our faces when we're thinking back on our lives. Those are the memories that we treasure. So beloved during this season let's prioritize small moments of worship, small moments of self care and joy over those big duties and responsibilities.
Sarita Bernadette:It's okay to say no. It's okay to turn down an invitation or two. It's okay to stop and embrace some of the simple activities like taking a drive to see some Christmas decorations in the neighborhood or baking a small batch of cookies. Try downloading some verses of scriptures that you can you can color and meditate on. How about taking some time to play some games or maybe even take a long walk in a park or on a hiking trail?
Sarita Bernadette:Try getting some much needed relaxation with a good book and a hot beverage. Let's be intentional about our time. Let's focus on the quiet pleasures and meaningful connections instead of getting caught up in the madness. Philippians four:eight You know it! And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable.
Sarita Bernadette:Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Again, beloved, through our thoughts and actions, let's be intentional as we move through this season. Let's focus on the quiet pleasures. Find joy in the small moments and the little things. Psalm sixteen eleven You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence.
Sarita Bernadette:This joy we have, the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away. It's not dependent on the perfect Christmas. This joy comes from the assurance that God is with us and his promises are still yes and amen. You've been listening to Joy in Every Step. I'm Sarita Bernadette and I'm grateful you chose to spend some time here with me.
Sarita Bernadette:Feel free to share this episode with someone you know would appreciate it. You can find Joy in Every Step wherever you listen to your podcasts and give us a follow there. Do check out the website at joyineverystep.org. See you next time!
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