We had a great Sunday at church last week. Great message from the Word...great music from our worship team.
Our choir sang, “Lay It All Down,” a song that talks about bringing all of our worries, doubts, and cares to Jesus...and laying them at His feet.
We all have things that are heavy on our hearts, right?
“Bring your worry, grief and pain, every cause you have for shame...lay it all down, lay it all down.”
This morning, in another church in our state, our youngest son, Clark, was teaching on the difference between happiness and joy.
“When your cares have buried you, and there's nothing left to do...lay it all down, lay it all down, at the feet of Jesus, at the feet of Jesus.”
I don’t know Clark’s talking points, but, in my experience, it seems like happiness depends a lot on our circumstances...whether or not our life is good, our family is good, our health is good, our finances are good; and JOY, to me, is more of an inward resolve...a peace, a choice to trust God no matter what is going on in my life.
“Carried on, but your heart was tired; feared the worst, and felt the fire...lay it all down, lay it all down.”
Is that always easy? Nope.
Thirty-three years ago, I gave birth to a -chromosomally-enhanced" child. All that has come with that has not always been “happy,” but God has given me great joy.
GREAT JOY.
And great peace.
Having our 4th child (Clark) so very prematurely...then getting his cancer diagnosis...none of that was “happy.”
“Filled with all those anxious thoughts, all your doubts became your god...lay it all down, lay it all down, at the feet of Jesus.”
I was able to have joy in the middle of these difficult circumstances, because of the very real presence of God, the gift of supportive friends, and the power of prayer, offered from an amazing community on our behalf.
“When we've given up on better days, there are memories we can't erase...lay it all down, lay it all down.”
I’ve had my weak moments...don’t get me wrong. Losing my Mom, my Dad’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, burdens I have for family and friends...if I’m not careful, these things can quickly steal my joy. But when things come up, I try...I TRY...to “lay it all down.”
More times than I’d like to admit, I pick it all back up again, and try to carry it all on my own.
Don’t be like me. Lay it ALL down, and LEAVE IT with Jesus.
“We've come to fear what we can't explain, there's nothing here that can ease the pain...lay it all down, lay it all down...at the feet of Jesus.”
I had great joy today. That tiny, tiny baby of mine...that so sick-with-cancer toddler...by the grace and power and provision of God, was standing strong this morning, teaching from God’s word.
I pray that the name of Jesus was high and lifted up. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3
