Read Philippians 4:4-7.
Joy is tricky.
It feels elusive and yet consistent.
It is present and in the same breath.
Nowhere to be found.
But maybe that’s why it’s not just joy we find,
But re-joy.
It is not once, but again and again.
It is a practice.
It is potential.
It is an invitation.
Like a child learning to walk,
You stand and fall
Move forward on shaky legs
And maybe lose balance and crash.
But again and again
You stand.
And eventually you can’t help
But move into the world.
Maybe that’s just like joy,
Consistently inviting us
To release the tension that clenches our jaws,
And instead to roll our heads back and see
The way the clouds move on a Wednesday
Or hear the satisfying crunch of leaves under foot.
Maybe joy is tricky
To keep us from being complacent
And instead give us practice
To find joy
To re-joy
To Rejoice
Again and again.
Pray
God, stay beside us filling our lungs so we can speak, scream, sigh, and sing, knowing we are loved and not alone. Amen.
Rev. Rachel Penmore
Campus Minister, UKirk UTK
Words for Waiting 