While ‘JOY’ is the focus of Holy Barre in 2024, and we continue to see such beautifully joyful faces join us each week at class, this season personally for me is not one marked by joy. Or is it?
What about you? How is your joy? How’s this season for you?
While I feel like I’ve cried more than laughed and felt more negative feelings than positive ones, the Lord keeps bringing James 1 to my mind.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 CBS
It sure seems easier when we can compartmentalize aspects of life. I’d rather just feel positive feelings rather than acknowledge and process negative ones. I’d rather focus on what’s going well than directly address what’s not. And we’d rather keep our physical health, mental health, emotional health, and relational health in separate buckets, compartmentalized and controlled.
Yet we are wonderfully and fearfully and intricately designed by our incredible Creator and He wants all of us! Heart, soul, strength, and mind. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The trials and the triumphs. The strength and the weaknesses. The sadness and the JOY.
A quick fix sure sounds nice at times. But like I communicate during a barre routine, slow and steady wins the race. Endurance is what we need. Our time on earth demands endurance. Endurance through Christ. Because Jesus changes everything. Even various trials.
Joy, beyond understanding, the kind that only comes from Him, is experienced when endurance has to be activated. Quick and easy brings happiness (circumstantial). Slow and steady brings joy (eternal). Not only is Jesus with us on the journey, but He himself experienced the ultimate joy through endurance.
Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith. For the JOY that lay before him, He ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1b-2 CSB
Friends, I wish my words of encouragement were ones of ‘just a little bit more, you’re almost there, you’re almost to the happy and easy life . . . ‘. But this life is a marathon, not a sprint. And it has trials and struggles and pain and sadness. But it has triumphs in Christ, freedom in Christ, healing in Christ, and ultimate joy in Jesus. Let’s just keep our eyes on Him! For those who look to HIM are radiant; their faces will not be covered with shame! (Psalm 34:5)
Through Holy Barre, we promise your muscles will burn but pray the Lord ignites a fire in your soul that can’t be put out. Through Deeper Wells, we’re discovering deeper wells of Living Water so we thirst no more. We are growing deep roots in His love to withstand the storms of life. We are seeking JOY in He alone!
My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
James 1:2-4 TPT
We’re better together and Holy Barre is here to weather the storms and stand firm in the trials together. We also love to celebrate the triumphs too! Just keep showing up and join us as we burn brighter together! It’s going to be an amazing year!
Burning Bright! 