A Morning of Joy

Begin by simply telling Jesus what you're celebrating. Don't rush past it. He delights when his people are glad. You might say something like: "Jesus, I'm celebrating today because..." and let yourself name it out loud. As you do, remember that he's the one who makes joy possible. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17, ESV)—including this good thing that's happened. Take a moment to praise him for who he is: the God who loves generosity, who blesses his people, who walks with us through all of life, not just the hard parts. You might pray something like, "Jesus, you are generous and good. You are the source of every joy I know."

Joy has a way of opening our hearts, and that's beautiful. But sometimes celebration can make us forget—we get caught up in the good news and overlook the ways we've stumbled, or we feel so happy that we push away the people around us who aren't celebrating with us. Bring any of that to Jesus now. It might be small, or it might be something bigger. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, ESV). You don't need to hide anything from him. Talk to him about where you've missed the mark, even in your joy—and then let yourself receive his grace, which covers it completely.

This is where your heart gets to run. Thank Jesus for the specific thing you're celebrating—say it again, with detail and warmth. Thank him for the people who are celebrating with you. Thank him for the small moments that led here, the ones you might not have noticed at the time. Thank him for hope itself, and for the trust that he'll be with you in what comes next. "Rejoice always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4, ESV). Let gratitude fill the space. You might pray, "Thank you, Jesus, for..." and let yourself be thorough, even extravagant, in your thanks.

Now bring your next steps to him. You might ask for wisdom in how to steward this joy—how to share it, how to stay grounded, how not to let the high fade into emptiness. You might pray for the people around you who aren't celebrating today, that they'd know his comfort. Or ask him to prepare your heart for whatever comes after this season of celebration, that you'd trust him the same way you're trusting him now. "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7, ESV)—and that includes the anxieties that hide under joy. Ask him for whatever you need to move forward with open hands and a steady heart.