The God of Joy

For God’s anger is but for a moment; God’s favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30:5 (NRSV, with inclusive language) 

In the final weeks and days before Election Day, the tone of our national politics will likely increase the urgency of its us-versus-them paradigm. The ads and speeches will be vicious at times. The drama of it all will be familiar. 

But during the Democratic National Convention in August, convention speakers used the word “joy” some 35 times and said “neighbor” at least 10 times. And when the joy-fest ended, a high school friend posted on social media, in large and emphatic type.  

“If there is a God,” it said, “he has played his hand. Joy over darkness.” 

Now, we could discuss partisanship and we could debate how/whether God manifests in politics. We could lament my friend’s negative use of “darkness” and of male pronouns for the God of Many Names. But did I mention that the sharer of this good news is a confirmed atheist? 

All politics aside, the tone of the convention and of my friend’s response offers a gospel reminder to live out our values: with more joy than stridency, more openness than opposition. Joy and hope break through our defenses in ways that reason and argument cannot.  

It reminds me that the Holy One is revealed in love and joy and hope. 

It reminds me to take love and joy and hope to the ballot box. 

Prayer
May our joy help others find you.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, of Amherst, Massachusetts.