Joy? In our city?
In Acts 7, we read about Stephen, the church's first martyr. He died defending the good news of Jesus before a hostile crowd.
His death actually sparked the spread of the gospel, though. Persecution continued and the other believers were scattered throughout the region.
Imagine being so persecuted, watching friends and family hauled off to prison and some even killed, that you were forced to move away.
What's life in your new city like?
For these early believers, they picked up right where they left off: preaching the word.
What happened next is an amazingly simple and sweet summary of how God works through his people: "So there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:8)
Can there be great joy in our city?
God has scattered us through Cobb, Cherokee, and Fulton county this week.
We're rubbing shoulders with stay-at-home moms, co-workers, friends, and neighbors who need joy.
We're living in a joyless epidemic.
Rates of anxiety and depression are on the rise.
We're lonelier than we've ever been.
People around us are working harder than ever at crafting an image, building an income, and curating an identity.
Do we see our scattering as God's sending? God has sent us to these joyless places to be like the angels at Christmas, bringing good news of great joy.
He didn't send us to solve all their problems or have ever answer.
He sent us to be a witness to the work of Jesus.
Yesterday I met a man at the park while we threw the football. Our sons started playing together, so we jumped in too. He assumed I worked at a church because why else would someone have a son named "Corinthian." I told him that's actually his name from birth, and we just chose to keep it. I got to hear just a few minutes of his story. He has moved around, divorced, stopped going to church, working hard, trying to connect with his son who he isn't with full time…life is just a lot.
I told him about our church and here's what my invitation sounded like: "Hey, you grew up in church so you know it isn't always easy. I'd love for you to come find rest at Shallowford."
An invite to church can be an invitation to discover joy.
May it be said that there is great joy in our city because of God's work through us.
I love you, and you are sent to bring joy.
In Christ,
Jonny Day