May 2025

Letter from the Committee

Joy

It is more contagious than the flu, and bursts without warning. It is lighter than a feather but can bow the strongest person. It can come in waves and run deeper than the Mariana Trench. Sweet and sometimes painful, it is binding in more ways than one! It stands as a universal language of human life… What is it?

It is joy and laughter.

From infancy, we are not taught how to laugh or how to cry. We do not always do one or the other. This begs a question: how do we as believers live each day in the joy of the Lord? While we do laugh alone, so much of our joy is spurred by life and connection with others. The joy of the Lord comes from nearness to, and right relationship with, our wondrous Savior. Our salvation is the redemption and restoration of connection with our Creator.

John 15:9b-11: “Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

His joy becomes our joy. We have joy in anticipating a day when all reasons to cry are completely removed. Our joy lives on the promises of His faithful character. Our joy is sustained in the knowledge that the truth of relationship restored with our Lord cannot be changed at the whims of circumstances we face in our daily lives.

We are not always able to laugh as life is littered with loss, pain, illness, hatred, broken things, and even death. Yet… by the relationship He carves out for us and pursues with unconditional love, nothing can deny us the beautiful joy of our reality as His precious, honored, and greatly endowed children.

Witnessing innocent beauty in creation is a consistent reminder of His presence surrounding us. What small things around you bring you joy?

This month, join us in meditating on the joy of the Lord. What joys do loved ones in your life bring to you? Is the Lord encouraging you in the joy your life brings to others? What joy does His presence bring to you right now? The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10)! 

Your Stoa Alumni Committee,

Samuel Durand (AR), Nicole Kaiser (MT), Alyssa Sloneker (AR), Denise Sprimont-Vasquez (VA), Elizabeth Stapleton (OK), and David Vasquez (VA)

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