The Joy of Others

Not sure how best to articulate this words roaming around in my brain, but here goes.

1. I know for a fact that we (the people of the Earth) are ALL not going to get along. This is a proven fact just look at anything socially. The divorce rate, war, arguments, different religions, and all the way back to Genesis. i.e. Cain and Able.
   
2. I know for a fact that we (the people of the Earth) have to choose who is and is NOT going to be in our lives. Simply to keep us as sane as possible so that we can cope with the world that we live in.
3. I know for a fact that we (the people of the Earth) rub each other the wrong way. I'd say 98% of that is NOT on purpose and 2% is just to see if we can aggravate the other one. In my marriage, I'm not sure of the exact %'s but it's higher on the on purpose side. ;)

However, if we don't try to learn from each other we are certainly going to miss out on a lot of JOY! If we avoid or cut people out of lives before God moves them away from us we can miss out on the JOY that they can bring to us. The Shepherds were afraid, but they got good news that will bring GREAT joy for all people. After we find the JOY in knowing Jesus, can't we find the JOY in knowing each other.

Luke 2: 8-10
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.