by Victoria Heinecke

Welcome to the bounce house.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:4-5 New International Version (NIV)

Today was Rally Day at church. It’s a festive day for the teachers, the guides, and the children to kick off Sunday School on a high note. Among the festivities, there was a bounce house on the lawn. Children would go inside and jump on the cushioned floor as high as they could.

Some of us observed the joyful smiles and shouts of glee as the children played. We remembered our childhood experiences with bounce houses and high energy play. One of us mentioned that she wanted to have a bounce house at her wedding!

Ah, joy. Pure, unbridled joy.

“Do not be anxious about anything…“
Philippians 4:6a NIV

As I grow older, capturing that sense of joy becomes more challenging. I am attending an increasing number of memorials and funerals, and conversations with friends tend towards our increasing health issues. Worrying about the troubles of the world adds to the personal burdens of aging.

However, there’s a peace beyond understanding that only God can give. It’s a sense that, no matter what is going on around us, God’s will is still done. Sin, death and the devil do not have the last say. God loves us and wants us to be in eternal fellowship with us, on both sides of the grave.

The children seem to sense that love on a pure, simple level: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

As you think on the children in the bounce house, I pray that you sense God’s peace today.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado