JOY – (part two)
JOY – Jesus | Others | You
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
There are very few encouraging words to describe the circumstances that are currently impacting the world. I would have laughed if someone told me that social-distancing and quarantine would be a way of life in 2020 and that a virus would be ruling the world. It seems like something straight out of Contagion, a movie meant to be based on a fictional pandemic that consumes the world. While COVID-19 has caused indescribable hardships for many, both financially and medically, the coronavirus has also changed the face of human relationships.
Merely three months ago the world was a much kinder and more understanding place to live. I’m not saying we were living in a utopia, but it was much more common to see simple acts of kindness being exchanged at the store or around the city. Now, however, fear has consumed humanity which has lead to varying degrees of selfishness and anger. People are afraid to come near one another, fearful of contracting the virus. Stores are being excessively wiped of specific goods like cleaning supplies, meat, produce, and canned goods due to the fear mentality of not having enough to survive. Interactions between people have become less common, and more contentious. Where has the joy and kindness gone?
It is so easy to be sucked into the downward spiral of fear, and begin to enter “survival mode.” While it is totally human nature to turn our focus inward when things are out of our control, God calls us to step out of the fear spiral and to look upward and outward. First and foremost, we cannot experience true joy, peace, and comfort apart from the Lord. The Bible says that this world is full of trials and hardships; it is inevitable. But those who trust in the Lord will find peace (John 16:33). God specifically calls us to trust in Him, the steadfast and never-failing One, and He will fill us with peace and joy that can only come from Him.
However, God does not only call us to love Him, but He commands us to love others like He loves us. This is the second greatest commandment God calls us to follow. One of my favorite words for love is the Greek word agape. I love this word because it encompasses such deep meaning, yet it is so difficult to define. Agape refers to a divine love. It embodies unconditional, persistent love that never ceases or changes. Just as God’s love for us is agape love, He calls us to have agape love for our neighbors. This means loving those who are dear to us as well as those who may not be our favorite people. As Christ followers, we are to live our lives like Jesus lived his: unconditionally loving people and pursuing their hearts. While we aren’t perfect (we’re nowhere close!), we can still choose to love people, even when it is difficult. This may look like sacrificing of our own time, money, or possessions to serve our neighbors and meet their needs.
This season of social-distancing and quarantine has personally been both a struggle as well as an opportunity to grow. I am very extroverted and I place a lot of value in quality time. Because I value quality time, I really don’t enjoy texting or calling people; I would much rather hang out with people in person. This season, I have had to learn how to love those around me from a distance. For me that has looked like choosing to text, call, and FaceTime my loved ones even when I didn’t feel like it and delivering treats to friends and neighbors when I would rather just have them over for dessert. I’ve also been pushed to love others in my community by choosing to smile and say hello to someone in the grocery aisle instead of avoiding eye contact. My family has been challenged to buy only what we need and not surplus so that others in the community might also have access to those products. We’ve gotten to know our neighbors even better through intentionally asking how they’ve been. And while it has been extremely difficult and frustrating at times, I’ve also experienced great joy in a time where I never thought I’d find any.
So I want to challenge you. In this time where fear rules and uncertainty looms ahead, choose to find joy by loving others. Don’t let fear of the unknown limit the joy you can receive from loving God and loving others. Love people with agape love, persistent and without condition. You never know the difference a simple act of kindness might make in someone’s life.