Joy is my spirit’s response when my eyes are opened. Seeing in the world the hand of God, the footprints of Christ, and the breath of the Spirit moves me into a reality so big and so full of love that every single atom in the universe is revealed as a holy gift. Each and every piece of the cosmos exists as a delight to God. Every living being is God’s beloved – people I don’t know, people I don’t like, people I love, animals, plants, rocks and water. With each new person, each new being that comes into the world, the entire universe is changed. When I see this truth, I know joy. When I live my life in joy, I offer this truth to others: the world we live in is the Kingdom of God.

Are there bad things in the world? Yes, and they must be faced. Are souls damaged every day through evil, abuse, and ignorance? Yes, and they ask us to be Christ’s healing presence. The void cannot be denied or explained away. But even the void carries us to our home in God. Living that truth is joy.

By contrast, the action of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23