So, this week I’ve been thinking as I drive to work, “What will bring joy to the Lord today?” It was a moment of inspiration on Monday, as I was praying that I might be filled with joy. It’s a fun exercise – you should try it!
Today I was sure the Lord would be joyful because 6 of His students would be digging into the Word, in the book of Hebrews. And then I was stuck, so the Lord filled in the rest when I got to the training school. I walked into prayers and was handed a card which said ‘Congratulations on this being International Women’s Day’! signed by the three men cadets. And there was a big box of chocolates on the table – Latvian Laime chocolate. (You need to come to Latvia to try it – mmmmm!) I was sure that must have brought a smile to God’s face. We sang in prayers and while we aren’t very good, we are enthusiastic. One of the cadets got especially inspired today with his singing and made all of us smile. Again, I think God probably laughed with joy! After prayers each of us got a long-stemmed carnation and were told we had to go to the kitchen for coffee and chocolates, before class started. A great way to start the day (no, I didn’t drink the coffee but I did get a bit of a caffeine fix from the chocolate!) Do I think the Lord was happy about the coffee and chocolate? No, but I’m sure there was joy in heaven because 9 of His servants, speaking 3 different languages were fellowshipping and laughing together.
The Hebrews class was taught by a pastor from the International Bible Church. I sat in on a few minutes of the class. I love the book of Hebrews and have taught and read it several times. But, in just the little time I was in the class I learned something that was new (or previously ignored) by me and that brings new light to a familiar passage in chapter 12. I won’t try to tell about it because it has to do with the poetic form the author used and I couldn’t explain it clearly. But, it brought me joy! Later in the day, the cadets were preparing for our Sunday ministry and they were trying to sing together and put some rhythm instruments in the mix. I heard a tambourine and went flying out of my office (we don’t have those around here.) It was an amusing sight, with little shakers and a tambourine and then me, trying to show them how to use it.
One of our cadets is an artist and Solveiga and I have wanted a picture for our office. Today he brought us three! He paints beautiful landscapes and he had chosen pictures that matched our office color perfectly. That gave us joy. But the real joy moment was when we tried to hang the pictures. Solveiga and I didn’t agree. Sergejs, the artist, didn’t want to give his opinion but we could read his expressions and Arturs was walking around with a hammer and threatening to hang them in very strange places. We were laughing the whole time. We finally hung them and they add such a nice touch which will often bring us joy.
So, what brought God joy today? I think it was the community of people who live and work in our building, sharing joy with each other and growing in our knowledge of God and His Word. Wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Here are some words from Jeremiah to me this week:
Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. 9:23-24 NRSV What an amazing verse!
The shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the Lord 10:21a NRSV (Evie’s note – I’ve been placed as a shepherd for the cadets and I do not want to be stupid!)
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