We've been watching Marie Kondo's program on Netflix. She helps people get their homes and their lives back together through getting rid of the clutter that creates chaos and unhappiness. As she moves from room to room, Kondo reminds those she's working with to take each item and ask, "Does it bring you joy?" If it does, keep it. If not, get rid of it. We've watched only three episodes so far but the transformation we've seen in these homes is nothing short of amazing. And it all begins by asking a simple question, "Does this bring me joy?"
There is another house that gives joy and that is the Lord's house, the place where God comes with His gifts of grace and love. I especially appreciate these words from the psalmist:
Psalm 84:4 - Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You.
Or Psalm 27:4 : One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Or Psalm 122:1: I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'
Blessings abound for those who come to God's house - hearing that your sins are forgiven, listening carefully as God's speaks to you in His Word, joining fellow believers in confessing the faith in one of the Creeds, having the Lord's Body and Blood placed on your lips for the forgiveness of sins.
As we leave God's house we can really sing, "Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee..."
Did you have a hard week? Did you face unending trials and problems? Come to God's house. Let Him remove your burdens and sins from you. Receive hope that trumps the biggest problems you might face.
Worship today at Life in Christ at 5 pm or tomorrow at 8, 9:30 or 11 am. Come and let God serve you with His gifts of forgiveness and hope. Then leave with your heart overflowing with joy!
