Anchored in Celebration!
Experiencing the different seasons in Manitoba is one of my favorite things about living here. Fall is one of my favorites with all the bright colors and the cool crisp air. Even winter can often be quite beautiful with the snow sparkling in the sunshine! I grew up on the West Coast where a lot of the landscape stays pretty green (and brown too) all winter long, and there is a LOT of rain and cloudy weather. There were many times when the sky was grey for days and even weeks. It can be hard to feel joyful in those seasons and even harder when things don’t go according to your plans or you are navigating grief or hardships.
As November progresses and we inch our way into our long winter season, what are some things you are anticipating with joy? What are you worried about?
Did you know that AKC is celebrating 10 years this March? This will be our 10th conference and 10th time walking alongside so many of you as you navigate the joys and sometimes hardships of serving in children’s ministry.
Our theme verse for AKC 2026 is from Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice!” As we lean into this verse each month on the countdown to the conference, I’m reminded that in order to rejoice in the Lord always, it means just that. Always. Rejoice in each season, no matter the weather.
Author and theologian, John Piper, spoke about Paul’s letter to the Philippians and defined joy like this, “Christian Joy is a good feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world.”
How can we see the beauty of Christ in the Word or the world if we aren’t deeply rooted and anchored in Him? In His Word, in prayer, in worship, in fellowship. The more we can do this, then the more we will be able to see and rejoice in all seasons.
Rejoicing and finding joy doesn’t mean that things aren’t hard. Or that we have to put on a brave face all the time. It doesn’t ignore the world. It means that we have this incredible hope that we are anchored to. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19.
So here’s my challenge for you this month.
Focus on the joy. What Paul shows us is that joy is a choice. Choosing joy might be harder at times – it might even feel impossible. But we can choose it. And I know that whenever I start looking for ways to be filled with gratitude, I can start to see God’s blessings in my life – in little ways and big! A phone call from a friend, a smile from a stranger, a child’s laughter, a small kindness. Look for those holy moments and thank God for them. Start your days off with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those special moments and blessings. You may be surprised at what God reveals to you.