Rejoice with Great Joy!

The book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem after its citizens had returned from many years of exile. At its completion, there was great celebration. The scripture reads, “They offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.”

The Spiritual Formation Bible offers supplemental quotes and even activities designed to help one grow in the faith. I’ve been using this Bible for morning devotions for some time now, and recently I came across an exercise based on that Nehemiah passage that I’d like to share.

Grab a pen and paper and then set a timer for two minutes. During that time, write down all the ways that God has given you joy. How many joys can you list? Jot down whatever comes to mind – small and great things, those that seem really important, and those that may seem insignificant. If you draw a blank, think about different aspects of your life – past, present, family, friends, work, faith community, God’s creation, etc. When the time is up, go back and reread your list. Then give thanks to God.

May you find this exercise to be as uplifting as I did. It gave me perspective, and I found my spirit soaring.

Let us pray: God of Hope, you have filled our lives with blessing. Help us call to mind today all that brings life and joy. For all this, we give you thanks. Amen.