!!! Gelato Joy !!!

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 15:7-21 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ John 15:9-11 ~~~

Remain in my love...
...so that my joy might be in you and 
your joy might be complete.

Three years ago we stopped for some gelato
 while visiting Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The very first thing that catches your attention as enter the store
is in the long glass display case.
The pastel colors, the smooth texture of the Gelato; it was all so luscious
 that my initial inclination was just to dive right in.
Gelato is the Italian word fro ice cream, yes, we were in Croatia.

That day if I had had to post an image of joy, that would have been it.
Creamy mounds of frozen pastel sweetness! Ahhh!

Today we hear Jesus telling us about his joy.
His desire is for us to have a share in his own joy.
But in looking at what Jesus considered to be joy;
I had some reservations.

Jesus found joy in places I would resist...at times
when joy was not apparent.
Is joy reserved for the Gelato yummy moments only?
That would be great, but Jesus does not see it that way.
Jesus saw joy in healing the sick, forgiving the sinner,
preaching to those who questioned and accused...

Jesus found joy in carrying the cross...
having nails driven though his hands and feet...
Jesus found joy in dying on the cross for us.
Jesus found joy in things we would run away from;
he did not look for the luscious refreshing flavors of Gelato for joy.

While I do desire to share in the joy of Jesus
I must confess it is with some reservation.

God, who knows the heart...

Our awesome God, who does indeed know our heart,
 wants us to share in his joy.
He wants us to know that his joy
ranges from ice cream to thorns and nails.
Saint James advises us 'to consider it all joy'. (1:2)

This is the only way to experience complete joy,
that is to look at our life through the joy glasses of Jesus.
His joy gives us the perfect model for all our joy.
If we make the intention to see joy in our life we will find it,
but a word of caution the opposite is also true.

One look into the face of Jesus will bless you with his joy.
The joy he has for saving you compares to no other.

Have some Gelato and consider your joy.
~~~Peace~~~