You know that moment…
You’re on a long flight, you’re starting to get REALLY uncomfortable, and don’t even mention the growling of your stomach.
You’ve forgotten how long you’ve been flying for and definitely feel like the flight will never end. You’re tired, uncomfortable, frustrated, and maybe even a little angry.
But then…
That gorgeous little ding sounds and the flight attendant announces that you are approaching your descent.
Finally.
You buckle in and eagerly wait the moment that the wheels hit the runway and you arrive at your destination, ready to get off that plane (and head straight to a Chic-fil-A).
This image is a lot like what this Sunday of Advent represents.
This Sunday was Gaudete Sunday.
This Sunday, if you have an Advent wreath, you lit the pink candle.
An Advent wreath has 4 candles, one for each Sunday of Advent (the season leading up to Christmas) and there are three purple candles, and one single pink candle.
“Why?” You may ask.
Because this Sunday signals a shift.
A shift that this longing, waiting, and hoping for Christ is coming to a close. That Christ is coming, and we can shift from longing to expectancy for His arrival - from weariness to joy.
I believe this can be said for you too.
I know the world feels weary.
Looks and sounds it, too. But because of Jesus we have the ability to choose joy. To choose to stop chasing temporary moments of relief and happiness and truly live from a place of joy.
You can rejoice even when you don’t feel joyful.
Jesus gives us joy that can last through any circumstance, any situation, and any emotion. Because joy isn’t an emotion, it’s a discipline, a state of being. And many of us have been chasing a feeling when we could be choosing the real thing.
That’s what Christmas is. Jesus came so we could have life, and life abundantly. He came so we didn’t have to settle for chasing happiness but so we could CHOOSE a life of joy with Him.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and a river in the desert.”
This is your wheel’s down moment.
Your waiting is almost over. God is doing something right now. Something is going to change in your circumstance. He is doing something behind the scenes.
Your longing heart can become expectant for the good He is going to do.
So fasten that seatbelt. This plane is headed for landing.
This week on The True North Podcast…
We live in a weary world — and every year it seems to feel heavier.
By the time we reach the end of the year, “joy” can feel hard to sing, hard to declare, and even harder to believe.
But biblical joy has never depended on ideal circumstances.
In this episode, we explore why joy is a command, not a feeling, and how we can rejoice even when we don’t feel joyful. Scripture reminds us that happiness is fleeting, but joy is a state of being rooted in God’s faithfulness, not our circumstances.
If you’re tired of chasing happiness and waiting for life to improve before you rejoice, this episode invites you to discover the kind of joy that cannot be taken from you.
Have a great rest of your week and thanks for being here!
Love, Mykah (and Nimbus)
