Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve been noticing a lack of joy in the Body of Christ. Christian brothers and sisters seem to have this overly serious attitude about them. When asked about how their faith is going, the usual reply is: “I’m okay” or “I’m struggling” or “I’m hanging in there”. These are honest answers. No one wants to be a Pollyanna where everything is positive, but un-genuine. Living the walk of faith can be hard and even depressing at times.

However, there is a reality that we have a tendency to ignore. This reality is the source of true Christian joy. But we are so used to focusing on the dark shadows of life (which truly exist) that we fail to see the brilliance of the Light (which also exists) that gleams undaunted above all and every shadow on the earth.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:1-2, “Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

There is something that has helped me to set my mind on the “above things.” That is: to start my prayers with celebration. Rather than coming before God and start in on “my stuff”, I begin my prayers with statements of celebration: “Lord, I celebrate Your love for me! Lord, I celebrate Your majesty! You are enthroned on high and the heavens rejoice. And I join in the rejoicing! I am so glad that You are on the throne. I celebrate Your grace. I celebrate Your goodness. I celebrate Your wisdom. I choose to celebrate You, Lord!”

This is not “Pollyana-ism”. These are statements of truth, not denial: I do not deny the existence of the challenges that face me nor the hardness and cruelty of life. Rather, it is acknowledging the greater reality of Christ’s sovereign dominion, love and favor over my life. It is realizing that, despite difficult circumstances on earth, Jesus has blessed me with every spiritual blessing … and He (and I, with Him) will prevail.

It is in Satan’s best interests to keep us from viewing our lives from that perspective. The devil wants us to keep our eyes and nose to the earthen grindstone, lest we discover the freedom and joy that Christ has all around us. And our feeble viewpoint communicates an all-too-common message to the lost around us:  that we are no different than they and that Christianity is just another coping mechanism to life’s hardships.

Brother, Sister, look up and behold Your King! Celebrate Him, the Lamb of God who takes away your sin! Rejoice in the Lord, who loves you and empowers you with His grace and presence! Death, darkness and sin have no power over you anymore! Christ has made you a child of the light and of the day! There is no reason for you to be joy-less!

Joy is not an emotion; it is an attitude. Joy is not a product of right circumstances, but right perspective. If your life is short on joy, it is because you are short on truth, not happiness. Celebrate the Lord; for it is not only brings joy to the heart, it brings truth to the mind and righteousness to the soul.

 “For our God Most High is awesome beyond words. He’s the King of all the universe. Sing Hallelujah! Celebrate the Lord!” (Celebrate the Lord by Terry, Randy and Greg Butler)

1. As you look up to God, what do you celebrate about Him?

2. As you look more closely at the life God has given you, what can you celebrate?