by Victoria Heinecke

Jump!

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

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it…
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord,“
Psalm 96:11,13a New International Version (NIV)

There were signs that whales were swimming in the bay. as two columns of warmed air steamed up from the surface of the water. As the whales dove, my husband took out his phone – the only camera he had – and waited. Suddenly, the mother and her calf breached out from the water as he tapped his phone. A perfect moment, captured at the perfect time, of two whales in a synchronized jump.

We don’t know exactly why whales breach from the water. It may be communication, along with their concert of whistles, chirps and moans. The splashing and displacement of that much water may also be a way to get attention.

On the other hand, they look as if they’re having fun when they’re jumping and slapping their fins on the water. It appears playful, almost pure happiness.

It is human nature to want to be happy. Ah, happiness, that feeling when there are no worries and no pain. We all want to be happy, but it’s hard to attain it for long. Sometimes I think, “Well, I can’t be happy all the time, so I’ll just have to settle for joy. Christians should strive to be joyful more than happy, right?”

“Settle” for joy? That’s like saying, “Well, I can’t have a hundred dollars, so I’ll just have to settle for a million.”

Whereas happiness is dependent on an external stimulus, joy is an internal state of being. Joy is that feeling of peace which comes from our relationship with God, along with sharing our faith in and around our community.

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV

This week, we begin the celebration of the Resurrection and Christ’s sacrifice that makes our reconciliation with God possible. Rejoice, and be glad!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado