A quick Google search defines gladness as feeling joy, pleasure, contentment; pleased or delighted.
As I walk through March Gladness, I wonder if I can actually do something to cause myself to experience gladness and if I can actually maintain it.
Psalm 100:1-2 reminds me of this,
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.”
The words make, serve, and come are call to action words. It appears to me that they are instructions—even better, they are commands.
To top that off, verses 3-4 seems to let me know why I should make, serve, and come….
"Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. "
Realizing that situations won't always be pleasant, I still think God is a Gladness—kind of God. Even in the midst of circumstances that place me in valley-low experiences, I still think God wants me to experience joy, pleasure, delight, and contentment.
The mere fact that I woke up this morning, should make me glad. When I consider the fact that I have a God who made me and loves me, gladness should spew from my pours.
Choose Gladness...
Choosing Gladness requires focus, intentionality, and determination. Choosing Gladness requires strength, fortitude, and a willingess to let go of me. Choosing Gladness requires that I step outside of myself and step towards a closer relationship with God.
My pleasure, delight, or contentment might not always be in people or situations, but it will always be in God.
The Bible reminds me that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I’m determined to be an advocate for gladness and I won’t allow the devourer to take it away.
Today, I endeavor to follow God’s command. Today, I will, “Serve the Lord with gladness and come before His presence with singing.”
Join me and Choose Gladness!