Are You Sharing Your Joy?
As I loaded my packed bag into the car, everything in me wanted to take the bag back in and address the responsibilities I had on my plate. Months ago I made plans to meet up with some college friends and spend the weekend in an Air B&B doing nothing but catching up, relaxing, and spending time by the lake. But now, as it was time to leave, this felt like the last thing I should be doing. Work projects with looming deadlines, endless housework, and needy children were all I could think about. However, I backed out of the driveway and went anyway.
It didn’t take long for me to realize this weekend away was just where the Lord wanted me. No, it didn’t make the work go away, but instead what it did was give me time to reprioritize, focus on what was important, and invest in relationships God has blessed me with.
It was only when I took a step away, that I realized just how depleted I was. I had neglected the things that infused life into me.
In Philippians 2, Paul spends time urging the church at Philippi to remain blameless in the midst of a crooked generation (v. 15) and to hold fast to the Word of life (v. 16), and then he says this:
“But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.” - Philippians 2:17-18
So much of the Christian life is a pouring out. A pouring out of our time, energy, and resources for the sake of the Gospel which is good and holy and worth it. However, this calling is not a calling to do life alone, giving everything until it’s gone. Paul reminds us that as we labor together, we share joy in Christ, and it’s this joy that is life-giving and renewing.
Here are three ways to ensure you’re sharing joy with others:
1. Identify things that infuse life
You can’t pour out of an empty cup. As we expend ourselves for God and those He has placed in our lives, it’s so important to find the things (people, activities, rest, etc.) that fill us up. We can serve, minister, and love better when we aren’t fully depleted.
2. Create time to invest in and enjoy relationships God has given
The enemy loves for us to feel guilty when we allow time to do things for ourselves. Instead of allowing this guilt in, recognize that prioritizing relationships that breed physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being actually bring blessings that we get to then pour out on others. Even Jesus regularly spent time with His inner circle, Peter, James, and John, before ministering to the masses.
3. Be vulnerable and authentic
Lastly, to share true joy with others, we must come as we are. It’s life-giving to take down the masks of appearance, responsibility, and strength and instead trust others with your needs, feelings, and vulnerabilities. This type of relationship imitates the intimacy God desires with us and strengthens the bond we have in Christ.
As I drove home after my weekend away, I was reminded how sharing life with women who encourage, admonish, and love me is so much more important than what it cost me. I was returning refreshed and ready to continue with the work God has set before me.
If you’re feeling weary, run-down, and depleted, take some time to evaluate the God-given relationships in your life. Are you sharing your joy?
Originally published on QSBC Women.
