A New Year of Great Joy

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. - Jude 24&25

I flew back to Gainesville two days ago and am already at full sprint. RUF had it's first large group of the semester last night, I have played ultimate, been to two RUF house parties, handed out fliers and talked with students on campus, planned out my schedule with Steve, and hung out with many amazing students and friends. All in a day and a half! It was great to be worshiping at RUF last night and to feel excited for what God is doing already this semester. I was reminded again of our loving Father who not only lifts us up out of the pain and judgment of sin into new life, but who does so with great joy... both for ourselves and for Himself!

In the great doxology of Jude, I have always taken the inherent joy to be my joy... which is true, but it is not ultimate. The doxology is to and about Him. Our joy will not be complete until God's joy is complete... when all his children have been gathered home to his side; "before the presence of his glory." At that time his laughter and roar will echo through the universe. That is our hope and our joy; that God sings over us. His rejoicing over his children through Christ is the greatest need of the human soul, and what I hope to be able to convey this semester, through my faltering lips, to students silently yearning for such love!

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!

The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
"Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

- Zephaniah 3:14-17