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Welcome back to the living, a space created to help you encounter God in your everyday life, be with Him, and find life right where you are. Today is Saturday, March 21st, and we are in our 40-day Linton journey. This week, we've been spending time hearing from Jesus in the upper room. He's told his disciples to trust him even when their hearts were troubled. He's reminded them that he is the way, truth, and life. He's promised that they'll never be alone as orphans. He's invited them to abide in him like branches connected to the vine. And today, Jesus is going to tell his disciples the purpose of all of it. The purpose is joy. Before we dive into today's lectio divina out of John 15, 9 through 11, I want you to settle into this moment. Whatever you're carrying, whatever is weighing on you, just remind yourself today, I am here, and so is God. I invite you to listen to these words from Romans 15, 13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Go ahead and take a slow breath in and gently exhale. Let your body settle into this moment. I wonder what's stealing your joy today. And would you be willing to open your heart to the joy that Jesus wants to give you today? As always, we'll be practicing an ancient practice called Lectio Divina. And that involves four movements. We're going to pray through the scriptures by first reading the text, and then we'll reflect on it, then take time to respond, and finally rest in the presence of Christ so that we can then go carry his presence into our day. Today's scripture comes from John 15, verses 9 through 11. Jesus is speaking to his disciples about abiding in his love. And then he says this, as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Notice what God is after. Jesus says, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. As I read this patches for a third time, this is an opportunity to respond. Listen for the invitation from God. You might even ask, where have I been searching for joy lately? Where might Jesus be inviting me to receive his joy? What's been stealing my joy? As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Go ahead and have a conversation with the Lord and respond to his words. That there is a God whose plan for you is joy. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Now rest in the joy of Christ. Today, as I reflected on the passage, I love that Jesus' goal in my life is for his joy to fill my life and that my joy will be fully complete. It reminds me of Psalm 1611 that says, in his presence there is fullness of joy. This is a joy that isn't like happiness. Happiness depends on what happens. Joy is what happens when we are connected with him, when we're following his way. His joy. The joy of living in the love of the Father. The joy of knowing we belong, the joy of following Him. May we experience that joy today. Let's close with a word of prayer. Jesus, thank you that you're inviting us into joy. Help us today remain close to you so that your life and your love can shape our hearts. Fill us with the kind of joy that comes from walking with you. We pray this in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today, go in his presence, rest in his love. This is the living. We'll continue tomorrow.