Trading for Joy

As I planned worship for this coming Sunday, the Sunday of Joy, I went to the Word to Worship site and plugged in “joy” as a search word. A lengthy list of songs appeared, including Trading My Sorrows by Darrell Evans.

Trading My Sorrows is a song I haven’t sung in a long time, but as soon as I saw it on the list I knew it was the right song for this weekend. As I think of the themes of Advent so far - of hope and peace - and then joy coming up this Sunday, I’m mindful that often we approach Advent with our hands held out. “O God, give me hope! Give me peace! Give me joy! I need replenishing and I’ve worked so hard and I’m going to wait for You to bring me what I need.”

These gifts are already ours for the taking but we need to actively seek them, not sit on our couches under blankets waiting for a miraculous revelation. We find these gifts in scripture, in people and events, and in actively bringing them into the world around us. We choose to make these gifts part of our journey. We trust in God’s hope and as we find ways to bring hope to those who sit in darkness or prisons we are reminded of hope already in us. As we seek to be peacemakers and to identify those who live in fear or conflict we recognize the peace we already enjoy and bring the presence of the Prince of peace.

Trading My Sorrows talks about taking our shame, sorrow and pain and laying them down for the joy of the Lord. When we cling tightly to what has happened to us, how we’ve been treated wrongly, what we’ve lost and how low our self-esteem has been, we can get pretty comfortable in a funk of depression, resentment and negativity. Instead, the song challenges us not to forget our past but to recognize that the joy of the Lord is more powerful and that better things are coming. As we trust in that, we find joy. We see our resilience and the strength that comes from Jesus.

There are a lot of people feeling sorry for themselves right now, and many with good reason. But something much greater is coming. Something amazing awaits us and is already in our midst. Tidings of great joy for all people are on the horizon. Even in our sorrow, pain and suffering, no matter the cause, we can find profound joy in how God has been with us and led us through times of darkness. So we trade it all in for God’s joy. And that joy isn’t fleeting like happiness or comfort or contentment. That joy has depth and nuance, and it can be experienced even in the midst of struggle. It grounds us in God’s promises and goodness despite our circumstances.

May you be able to allow the joy of the Lord to fill you, to bubble over and splash onto others, as you remember that your strength comes from the One who is our Good News, our Redeemer and Emmanuel, God with us.