Joy Whatever Happens

Joy. If someone could promise us a joy that would persist – whatever happens to us – how much would we pay for it? If there was a joy that never left us – no matter what happened to us – what would it be worth? What would we give up for it? 

That is exactly what Paul has in Philippians. But he does not write Philippians as a letter attempting us to convince us that he has a joy that persists – whatever happens – he just demonstrates he has it.  Writing from the dark dungeon of a Roman prison, every word Paul pens leaks joy. When he speaks about his enemies, people who are kicking him while he is down – joy. When he speaks about the possibility of his death by execution – joy. When he speaks to a church in Philippi that he loves but is now marked by conflict and disagreement – joy.  

Paul is not anxious, worried, or consumed with doubt. He is filled with joy. How?!?  

That is what we will discover together as Philippians speaks into our church life together. Paul is a man full alive with joy — we want to listen to his words that we might be the same.