We sat there, buried under several feet of American Midwest snow, one week into the first tour of the year. Mugs of steaming tea in hand, sweaters dawned, and baby Arthur wrapped like an Eskimo, we let the challenge fall on us with renewed intensity.
Joy. Joy.
Such a small word, with such immense depth. The past several years on the road introduced us to many sides of joy. We found it in the backs dirty of vans weary from the road, in the faces of friends, in hugs from strangers, and cups of tea and coffee along the way. But mostly, we found joy when we sought God in places we thought he couldn’t be, only to discover Jesus really does keep his promise— those who seek, will find.
That morning in the kitchen of a small church somewhere in the middle of Illinois, the call was just as real as it had ever been. We all felt it. The challenge to not just adjust our attitudes, or “think positive”, but to dig deep, be bold, and trust God to bring joy into the year ahead of us.
Already this year has been one of celebration for us as band. We celebrate the gift of life, marriage, and adorable little Arthur into our lives on the road. But we also recognize that true joy reaches beyond our circumstances. Joy that is pain-enduring and cross-bearing is found outside of our circumstances, friends, family and even ourselves. It can’t be manufactured. It’s a gift found in the Spirit of God alone.
That’s why it’s a fruit of his presence.
And it’s for the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross. That kind of joy mystifies us and draws us in. We can’t help but want to taste it, to chase it, to cultivate God’s living presence in our lives.
We, as the church, want to be known by our love and by our joy in impossible circumstances.
It’s in this calling we hope to seek. We want to celebrate life with a fierceness that points the world the heart of Jesus! And although we don’t have it figured out, our album The Art of Celebration is our tribute to this call. We hope you’ll join us in our fight for joy!
