Share in His Joy

It was a gray Monday morning. My spirit was dry. My motivation was low. Not a great start to the week.

I sat down in my usual chair and opened the devotional book that has been guiding me through this year. I wrote in my journal, “Week twenty of ordinary time—Stewardship.” I then began to read, while jotting down notes, including some verses from Psalm 115 that I wanted to remember.

As I finished my reading, I received a text from a friend. Although still feeling reluctant to start my day, I began texting back words of encouragement and care. I knew God had given me those words. They were not from me! I was simply a steward of the message He wanted to speak into my friend’s life at that moment. The oil of gladness began to seep into my spirit.

On a gray Monday morning, when I was expecting nothing good, the truth of Proverbs 15:23 was confirmed to me: “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word.” My mood was brightening. God had given me this opportunity to show love to another, words of encouragement to share, and now I was experiencing His joy.

I then looked at a verse I had written in my journal minutes before and smiled: “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to Your Name be the glory because of Your love and faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1). Amen to that! God proved Himself faithful to give precisely what I needed to share His goodness with another when I had nothing in myself to give.

“Join Him in His work and share in His joy.” I had written that summary statement about stewardship before the text came. Before my reply. And before I found myself sharing in His joy.

I now gratefully realized that God had helped me steward the moment. I found myself singing,

Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

—“Moment by Moment,” Daniel W. Whittle, 1893

With a deep sense of gratitude, I began to reflect further. In my spirit in that moment I heard my Heavenly Father say, “Well done!” I then recalled familiar words from a parable: “Come and share your master’s happiness!” (see Matthew 25:23). I had always pictured that reward as a future event. But I had just shared in His joy in that moment. Could it be that God has invited us to share in His joy both now as well as in eternity?

This is the day that the Lord has given us. May we steward well the moments. And may we share in His joy—today.

Jen Vogel

Jen served as national director for Alliance Women from 2015-2023; she serves in a variety of ministry capacities, including on the President's Cabinet for The Alliance. She enjoys reading, travel, and completing the New York Times crossword puzzle daily. Jen and her husband, Doug, attend Dover Avenue Alliance Church in Orange City, Iowa.

Five Responses to “Share in His Joy”

  1. Thank you for this Jen! I am a little late reading it – but it is what I needed for today.

    Blessings!

  2. Just a couple of days ago, another friend wrote me about that same hymn “Moment by Moment!” I think I need to get out my red hymnal and take a good look at it.
    Your story encourages me to look for ways I too can share in God’s joy. Thank you for sharing it.

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