John 15:9-11

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; 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. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Some months ago, I heard a story about some women who, after suffering the trauma and trial of sex trafficking, were working to put their lives back together. As a part of that work, they were gifted a set of tennis racquets and tennis balls. “It is their favorite activity” the teller of the story said. “Whenever they get on the court, we can hear their laughter clear across the park.” That, in itself, is wonderful. But what I love even more is that the women don’t play tennis by the rules. Instead of learning the complicated way that you are “supposed” to keep score in tennis or bothering with serving from the “correct” side of the court, these women have made up their own game with its own rules. Their mentors have offered multiple times to teach them the official rules of tennis, but the women aren’t interested. They like their own game better. They have a tremendous amount of fun whenever they get a chance to play tennis their way.

To me, this is a story about both freedom and joy. The women have found a way to experience the joy of play and the joy of being together. The proper rules of tennis don’t matter. Their joy has freed them from needing to follow someone else’s rules. In John 15:11 Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jesus came to bring us life, a life that is marked by joy! Our life of faith is not meant to be drudgery and trial, but one that is full of laughter, delight, and play.

-- Rev. Amy Lippoldt
Papillion St. Paul's UMC
alippoldt@greatplainsumc.org

Prayer for Reflection

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 119:137-144
Isaiah 1:10-18
Psalm 32:1-7
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10