Experiencing a Sunday that doesn’t seem quite so joyful today?
One of my favorite details in this week’s reading comes from Hezekiah’s reign:
“So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 30:26)
Why was there so much joy at this moment?
The people had gathered to worship the Lord with their whole hearts!
They had turned back to Him, celebrated the Passover together, and experienced the kind of joy that only comes from drawing closer to Christ.
I love what Elder Patrick Kearon teaches:
“We are members of the church of joy! And nowhere should our joy as a people be more apparent than when we gather together each Sabbath in our sacrament meetings to worship the source of all joy!”
It’s easy to think of church as another obligation on an already full weekend.
Especially when there are meetings to attend, kids to take care of, lessons to prepare, and checklists to complete.
But how can we view Sundays differently?
What if we come to church expecting to meet with the source of our joy?
That doesn’t mean every Sunday will feel emotional or every problem will disappear.
But when my focus shifts from simply attending church to truly worshipping Jesus Christ, I’ve found that my heart starts to change, even when my circumstances stay the same.
I feel more joy IN ADDITION to the meetings, the kids, the planning, and the checklists.
I’ve loved the change that comes from avoiding asking, “What will I get out of church?” and instead thinking, “How can I worship Christ today?”
I think that small change in perspective can open the door to the same kind of joy the people of Jerusalem experienced.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
