Multiple times I’ve heard the acronym Jesus, Others, You for joy.
Can joy really be reduced to a simple acronym? Part of me recoils and wants to back away saying, “Well, that might work for new believers or people who are wired more innocently than I am. I’m a bit too, ahem, sophisticated for this.”
And then Jesus gave me that look that said, “My mom may have ridden on a donkey but you don’t have to act like one.”
Jesus said, “Remember J.O.Y. is exactly what Velvet Ashes is about.”
We are here because of Jesus.
We are here because of You. You, the one reading this, you are not a number, a lurker, a commenter, a reader, you are an image bearer of the Most High God. Without you, there is no Velvet Ashes.
We are here because of Others. This is the part Jesus whispered, Amy don’t you see the beauty of Others during advent and Christmas? On your own, your Christmas is about your story and experience. But offered here in the space, it grows and expands big enough to hold hope and disappointment and laughter and tears and firsts and lasts. It holds the Body of Christ.
Joy. The theme of the week. The theme of this space.
Let’s share this week what Joy looks like this year for you. It maybe magical and sparkly. It may not. That is okay. This space is for all. Join us in the comments all week and link your own blog post at The Grove. Share on Instagram with #VelvetAshesJoy and let us see your corner of the world.
