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Overflowing Joy

In

John 15:9-11 (NLT)
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Jesus commands consistently come back to love. Love one another. Love yourself. Lay down your life for a friend. Love. Love. Love. After again giving a command of loving one another he speaks these words. It’s not arbitrary what he is telling us to do but he is saying when we live in love and embody love, we will be filled with joy. Joy is the outcome of love. Joy is made complete in Jesus. In the same way he is the everlasting, ever-present, never-failing one, so is his Joy. The eternalness of Jesus allows for our joy to be made eternal. To not be flickers or just feelings, but real, in-the-depths of who we are, stuck-to-our-ribs kind of joy. How often are you living in this joy? Do you experience it daily? Weekly? Is it something you would recognize?

Lectio Divina Practice
As you walk through the Lectio Divina today, read the scripture above and meditate on it, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you.

  1. Silencio: Come into God’s presence. Quietly prepare your heart to meet with and hear from Him.  Slow down, relax, release the noisy thoughts that crowd your mind over to him.

  2. Lectio: Read the scripture above slowly and out loud, let words resonate with you. Be aware of words that stick out to you. When a word or phrase grabs your attention, stop reading. Sit with it. Open your hearts to what God is saying to you. Underline the phrase, make notes of what you’re hearing. Don’t analyze it or judge it. Listen and wait.

  3. Meditatio: Meditate. Read the Scripture a second time out loud. Savor the words. Listen for any invitation that God is extending to you in this word. Reflect on the importance of the words that light up to you.

  4. Oratio: Respond, pray. Read the Scripture a third time. Now is the moment to enter into a personal conversation with God. There is no right or wrong way to do this. The important thing is to respond truthfully and authentically. What feelings has the text brought about in you? Talk about where you are feeling resistant or want to push back, and of where you feel invited into a deeper way of being with God.

  5. Contemplatio: Contemplate, rest and wait in the presence of God. Allow some time for the word to sink deeply into your soul. Yield and surrender yourself to God. Before you leave, you might consider a reminder that can help you dwell on this word throughout the day.

Family Moments
Read John 15:11 together. Jesus is always telling us to love other people. Do you know why? He says when we love other people we will be filled with joy! Can you think of some ways that you love other people? How does it make you feel? Spend some time as a family praying for some of those people you brainstormed together.