God is Joyful

Hey, Bridge Family,

I hope you and your family are well. Are you ready to return to your routines as summer vacation comes to an end? This week, your kids learned about “Joy,” and that because God is joyful, we should be too. This can be challenging for both adults and children. What does it really mean to be joyful? Can you be joyful and sad simultaneously? It’s possible if we understand that joy comes from the unchanging truth that God loves us and wants a relationship. Even in dark times, we can find joy by trusting that truth. Here are some resources that I found to help us find godly joy.
1) What do we consider our worth based on? In our materialistic society, many of us, whether consciously or not, base our self-worth on possessions, achievements, or status. I’ll admit, I used to think along those lines. For many, success is defined by salary, wealth, power, appearance, or fame. But as followers of Christ, we are called to find our worth elsewhere. Our value comes from Jesus, who is worthy. God’s love makes us important to Him. In Christ, there’s no need to prove ourselves; we are free to enjoy life regardless of our circumstances.

2) Our time usage shows our priorities. How do we allocate it—on reading the Bible, praying, watching TV, or playing games? Reflecting on daily routines reveals what truly matters. We should reassess actions to identify behaviors that bring us closer to God, our source of joy.

3) We should recognize that God is truly the source of our joy. In Psalms, David shows turning to God during times of crisis, which leads to experiencing joy. Real joy comes from knowing God, appreciating what He has done for us, and trusting in His ongoing care.

4) Finally, to best serve our children and teach them about true godly joy, we need to demonstrate it ourselves. Children observe our preoccupations, how we allocate our time, and how often we recognize and thank God for His love and care in our lives. If we let His joy fill our lives, they will see and learn to do the same through our example.
Remember, it’s never too late to engage. As long as your child is at home, you have an excellent opportunity to share the Bible and explore it together, making faith an exciting and meaningful adventure. God Bless, and hope to see your family on Sunday.

Pastor Bob