23/12/2025
‘A story of Joy’ this Christmas by Natalie…
“Matt’s recent message on being ‘actively joyful’ really made me stop and think about what it means to experience joy. I realised that joy is more than noticing a beautiful sunset and feeling grateful; it’s about choosing to look for joy in everything and everyone, rather than waiting for it to just happen.
Joy isn’t about having an easy life as life can be stressful, chaotic and challenging, but I’ve put my trust in God and lately, I’ve found myself thinking about things differently. I’ve started to experience a sense of joy, biblical joyfulness, that comes from within. I’d never experienced anything like that before Matt’s message and since I’ve been going to church at SCC, life feels a bit easier.
In September last year I completed the Alpha course, this year I’ve been invited to join the welcome team and I’m loving it; I wonder what God has in store for me next year?
Experiencing biblical joy seems to take it to a whole new level; it’s an incredible feeling. I now have a much more positive outlook on life and I feel an internal happiness, even when life is stressful. I’ve also been trying to spread joy to others.
What especially struck me, was learning that biblical joy is something everyone has access to, forever. People in life may come and go but God will always be with me and I will never be alone. Being actively joyful has really changed something in me.”
