Joy as Resistance: Embracing Abundance in Community

Devotional

Day 1: God Transforms Mourning into Communal Joy

There is a sacred movement from grief to joy, not by ignoring pain, but by allowing God to meet us in our deepest sorrow and transform it into shared celebration. When life feels heavy and the night seems endless, God does not bypass our pain or demand that we simply “get over it.” Instead, God sits with us in our sackcloth, in the roughness of our mourning, and gently clothes us with joy that is not manufactured but received. This joy is not solitary; it is a communal, circular dance—machol—where we are invited to move together, holding both grief and gladness in the same sacred space. In this dance, God’s abundance is revealed, and we discover that joy is not naive, but a serious, sustaining act of faith. [37:38]

Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV)
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to let God meet you in your grief, and how might you invite others to join you in moving from mourning to shared joy?

Day 2: Rejecting the Scarcity Trap for God’s Abundance

The world often tells us there is never enough—never enough resources, safety, or community—pushing us into isolation and competition. This scarcity story is a lie that keeps us scrambling, hoarding, and mistrusting, making us easier to control and less able to care for one another. But God’s alternative is not toxic positivity or individual striving; it is the radical abundance found in community. When we link arms, share what we have, and choose hope over fear, we practice a defiant joy that multiplies and sustains. God’s favor and abundance are not scarce, and there is enough joy, safety, and love to go around when we refuse to let fear have the final word. [38:14]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: What is one area where you have believed the lie of scarcity, and how can you practice abundance by sharing or connecting with someone today?

Day 3: Joy as Rebellion and Community as Resistance

Choosing joy and community in a world that profits from our despair is a radical, rebellious act. When we show up for each other, celebrate one another’s victories, and hold space for both sorrow and gladness, we resist the forces that want us scattered and afraid. The simple act of linking arms—like the Portland mothers—becomes a public declaration that another world is possible, one where joy is not just personal but communal, and where community itself is an act of resistance against isolation and fear. Every time we choose connection over convenience, we join in God’s dance of abundance and become the light of Christ in the world. [45:52]

Romans 12:15-16 (ESV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Reflection: Who in your community needs you to show up for them today—either in their joy or their sorrow—and how can you take a step toward them?

Day 4: Practicing Abundance in Daily Rhythms

Abundance is not just a spiritual idea but a daily practice, woven into the ordinary rhythms of our homes and neighborhoods. It looks like sharing joys around the dinner table, noticing what is working instead of what is broken, and celebrating others’ good news as if it were our own. It is the sidewalk ballet of healthy communities, where people naturally care for each other, offer help, and choose connection even when it’s easier to stay inside. By practicing gratitude and celebration together, we train ourselves to see God’s abundance and help our families and neighborhoods thrive. [41:39]

Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one small, daily practice you can start today to notice and celebrate abundance in your home or neighborhood?

Day 5: The Invitation to Join God’s Communal Dance

The music of God’s abundance is already playing, and the invitation to join the communal dance is always open. You do not need permission or perfection—just a willingness to show up, link arms, and move together with others. In this sacred dance, we learn to hold the full spectrum of human experience, to celebrate and grieve together, and to trust that joy shared is joy multiplied. Every act of connection, every moment of choosing community over isolation, is a step in this dance that hints at God’s kingdom breaking in. The world needs this dance, and so do we—so come, join in, and help keep the music going for the next generation. [43:31]

Psalm 133:1 (ESV)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Reflection: What is one way you can “join the dance” of community this week—perhaps by reaching out, offering help, or simply being present with others?

Sermon Summary

Over the past three weeks, we have explored the idea that play is not a distraction from faith, but a vital way to remember who we are in God’s beloved community. Today, we arrive at the practice of joy—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a shared, sustaining rhythm that holds both our weariness and our hope. In this space, everyone belongs, just as they are, and simply showing up is an act of faithfulness. Here, we are invited to bring our questions, our grief, and our gladness, trusting that God meets us in all of it.

We reflected on the story of the “Wall of Moms” in Portland, who linked arms to protect young protesters. Their act was not just resistance, but a public celebration of life—a defiant joy that refused to let fear or scarcity have the last word. This is the kind of joy that transforms communities: not a naive happiness, but a deep, communal practice that resists the world’s narrative of scarcity and isolation. Our systems often tell us there is never enough—never enough safety, resources, or community. This scarcity mindset keeps us fearful and divided, but God’s story is one of abundance.

Psalm 30 reminds us that God does not bypass our pain or ask us to fake joy. Instead, God sits with us in our grief and transforms our mourning into dancing—a communal, circular dance that requires us to show up for one another. This is not about toxic positivity or ignoring hardship, but about holding grief and gladness together, trusting that God’s favor and abundance are not scarce. When we practice noticing and celebrating abundance—in our homes, neighborhoods, and church—we join in God’s dance of joy and resistance.

We are invited to make our lives places where abundance is practiced: celebrating others’ good news, sharing what we have, and choosing connection over isolation. This is a simple, rebellious act in a world that profits from our despair. Every time we gather, pray, or share a meal, we are learning the steps of this dance. The music is already playing, and the invitation is open: come, join in the communal dance of God’s abundance, where joy is rebellion and community is resistance.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy as Defiant Community Practice True joy is not a solitary or superficial feeling, but a communal act of resistance against the forces that profit from our isolation and despair. When we link arms—literally or figuratively—we embody a joy that is both defiant and sustaining, transforming fear into hope and scarcity into abundance. This kind of joy is a public witness that another world is possible, one where life is celebrated and protected together. [31:43]
2. Scarcity is a Lie; Abundance is God’s Reality The world’s systems often tell us there is never enough—resources, safety, or community—fueling competition and fear. But God’s alternative is not individual self-improvement or toxic positivity; it is the shared practice of abundance. When we notice and celebrate what is good, and share what we have, we break the scarcity trap and participate in God’s economy of enough. [34:12]
3. God Meets Us in Grief and Transforms It Psalm 30 does not ask us to bypass our pain or pretend to be happy. Instead, God sits with us in our mourning, honoring our grief, and then gently transforms it into communal dancing. This transformation is not something we manufacture, but something we receive together, as God clothes us with joy that fits like light, even in the midst of sorrow. [37:38]
4. The Dance of Abundance Requires Showing Up The communal dance God invites us into cannot be done alone. It requires us to show up, even when we are uncertain or weary, and to be present with others in both their struggles and celebrations. This dance is learned in the ordinary rhythms of life—sharing meals, checking in, and choosing connection over convenience—where we practice holding grief and gladness together. [40:59]
5. Joy is Rebellion; Community is Resistance In a world that profits from our despair and isolation, choosing joy and community is a radical act. Every time we celebrate another’s good news, share our own, or simply show up for one another, we are participating in a sacred rebellion. This is how we keep the music of God’s abundance playing, ensuring that hope and joy are passed on to the next generation.

** [45:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:23] - Radical Play: The Journey So Far
[06:27] - Belonging and Showing Up
[19:00] - Community Prayers and Announcements
[21:43] - Prayers for Our World and Neighbors
[23:01] - God’s Presence in Our Weariness
[23:49] - The Rhythm of Quiet Joy
[27:13] - Micro-Practices of Play
[28:21] - Micro-Coloring: Practicing Joy
[29:11] - The Role of Play in Adult Life
[30:28] - The Wall of Moms: Defiant Joy in Action
[31:43] - Love Projects and Sustainable Resistance
[33:26] - The Scarcity Trap
[37:38] - God’s Transformation: Mourning to Dancing
[39:26] - Communal Dance: Joining God’s Abundance
[40:59] - Sidewalk Ballet: Noticing and Responding
[42:25] - Holding Grief and Joy Together
[43:31] - Practicing Abundance at Home
[45:52] - Joy as Rebellion, Community as Resistance
[50:46] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 30 (ESV) — > 1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
> 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
> 3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
> 4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
> 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
> ...
> 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
> 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 30, what does God do with our mourning and grief?
In the sermon, what did the “Wall of Moms” in Portland do, and what did their actions symbolize? [[31:43]]
What is the “scarcity trap” described in the sermon, and how does it affect communities? [[34:12]]
How does the psalmist describe the transformation from grief to joy? Is it something we do, or something God does? [[37:38]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “God will not bypass your pain. God will not tell you that grief will disappear. But God will transform you and your grief into something that you can carry every day.” What does it mean for God to “sit with us” in our grief before transforming it? [[37:38]]
The “Wall of Moms” is described as practicing “defiant joy.” Why is joy described as an act of resistance in the context of this story? [[31:43]]
The sermon contrasts “toxic positivity” with the biblical idea of joy. What is the difference between the two, and why does it matter for Christian community? [[38:14]]
The sermon says, “The communal dance God invites us into cannot be done alone.” What does this suggest about the role of community in experiencing God’s abundance? [[39:26]]

Application Questions

The sermon invites us to “show up” even when we are weary or uncertain. Is there a place in your life right now where simply showing up would be an act of faithfulness? What might that look like for you this week? [[05:23]]
The “scarcity trap” tells us there is never enough—of time, resources, or community. Where do you notice scarcity thinking in your own life? How does it affect your relationships or your willingness to share? [[34:12]]
The “Wall of Moms” linked arms to protect and celebrate life. Who in your life or neighborhood could use someone to “link arms” with them right now? What is one practical way you could offer support or solidarity? [[31:43]]
The sermon encourages us to celebrate others’ good news and practice abundance at home. When was the last time you celebrated someone else’s joy? How could you make this a regular practice in your family or friendships? [[41:39]]
The psalmist says, “You have turned my mourning into dancing.” Is there an area of grief or heaviness in your life where you need God’s transformation? How can your small group or community help you hold both grief and gladness together? [[37:38]]
The sermon says, “Every time we gather, pray, or share a meal, we are learning the steps of this dance.” What is one ordinary rhythm (like meals, check-ins, or prayers) you could use this week to practice joy and connection? [[40:59]]
The sermon calls joy “rebellion” and community “resistance.” What would it look like for you to practice “rebellious joy” in a world that profits from despair and isolation? [[45:52]]

Sermon Clips

That joy, even defiant joy, especially defiant joy, can change everything. [00:31:55]

Patrice Cullors, one of the founders of Black Lives Matter, refers to these moments like this. She calls them love projects. In her book, When Did They Call You a Terrorist, she explains that real organizing isn't just about opposing what's wrong, it's about actively celebrating what's right, affirming dignity and joy, creating spaces where communities can thrive, not just survive. And those Portland mothers discovered what colors knew, that the most sustainable resistance comes not from fear, but from love. Not from what we're against, but what we are fighting for. The radical celebration of life itself. [00:32:34]

Our world profits from our despair and isolation. Forces around us want us scattered and fearful, focused on scarcity. And when we're isolated and afraid, we're easier to manipulate and control. [00:33:26]

When we're told that everything is limited, that someone else's well -being threatens ours, that we have to hoard and compete just to survive, we stop sharing. We stop trusting. We stop showing up for each other. And that's exactly what systems of power want. Because isolated people are easier to control the communities that take care of each other. [00:34:16]

How much fear and anxiety in our lives comes from messages that there's not enough? How much of it comes from the news? Or from the advertisements we see? Not enough. good schools for our kids unless we compete with other families not enough job security unless we work ourselves to exhaustion not enough safety unless we avoid neighbors not enough time for rest for friendship for the kind of joy those portland mothers discovered when they chose to show up together and here's the thing it's not just happening to us personally it's happening to our kids it's to our neighbors and our neighborhoods to our planet when scarcity thinking becomes the air that we breathe we stop believing that another world is possible we stop believing that communities can thrive together we stop believing there's enough joy enough safety and enough abundance to share but what if that whole story is wrong [00:34:40]

Here's what i know about fake joy it tells you to smile through the pain it insists that you're not grateful enough faithful enough positive positive enough it says that your grief is a character flaw your anger is unspiritual your tears make others uncomfortable and that's not what we're talking about [00:35:39]

God will not bypass your pain. God will not tell you that grief will disappear. But God will transform you and your grief into something that you can carry every day. And that transformation isn't something that you manufacture. It's something you receive together with God. [00:37:38]

God's alternative to scarcity isn't positive thinking or toxic positivity or spiritual bypassing. We're just telling yourself over and over again, this too shall pass. God's alternative is abundance. And seeing it and practicing it together. It's communities that know how to withhold grief and gladness. It's the radical rebellious act of choosing hope when the world wants you scattered and afraid and alone. [00:38:14]

God's favor lasts a lifetime, the psalmist says. Not God's judgment, not God's disappointment in your lack of faith. God's favor. God's abundance isn't scarce. There's enough safety when neighbors link arms. There's enough joy when communities refuse to let fear have the final word. [00:38:47]

This is what we've been talking about with Radical Plague for three weeks. It's because joy, real, honest joy, communal joy is not naive. It's quite possibly the most serious thing in the world. [00:39:10]

To have that circular, communal, celebratory energy, you need people in that circle with you. It requires people. It requires showing up together to be in that space wherever we are when we show up. [00:39:41]

They simply showed up and linked arms together, and something beautiful came out of that experience. And they joined in a dance that was bigger than any one of them. That's what God's abundance looks like when it's practiced together. It's something you don't have to be good at. It's simply a rhythm you can join and learn as you go. [00:40:31]

Picture neighborhoods where people show up for each other in simple choreography of noticing when someone needs help. Offering what you have to share or choosing connection for isolation. Even though we all know it's easier to stay inside. [00:42:19]

Picture communities that can hold the spectrum of emotions simultaneously in all of its complexity. Where someone can say that they are struggling, and simultaneously someone can share good news and they are received as part of the same sacred dance and everything in between and beyond on that spectrum. Where weeping and joy don't have to take turns but they can move together like partners in that same simple dance. [00:42:54]

This is what it looks like when we refuse to let fear have the last word. This is the dance of God's abundance and it's beautiful and you don't have to wait for permission. You don't have to be perfect at it. The music is already playing and the invitation is already extended. You just have to be willing to link arms and join in. [00:43:26]

Your home can be a place for abundance and practice, whether it's around that dinner table, or your morning coffee, or simple conversations with the people you share your life with. A simple rebellion of noticing what's working instead of obsessing over what's broken. [00:44:09]

What if you became someone who celebrated other people's good news? What if you chose to name surprising joys instead of reciting familiar complaints? And again, this isn't toxic positivity, this is simply about training yourself to notice where God's abundance is prevalent in your life. [00:44:58]

When you create space for an actual conversation it prioritizes connection over convenience and you're practicing defiant hope they're choosing community over fear and we can dance here this place this community these people sitting together right now with us this is where we can learn the steps of dancing it's where we can practice joy and sorrow simultaneously we do it in those few moments of prayer time we can let it seep into the other areas we can talk about what is hard and what feels good in the same conversation we can discover that celebration shared a celebration multiplying and we can find out what it's like to be in a community where despair is not allowed to win [00:45:52]

Every time you show up here every time you share coffee every time you choose connection over isolation you're joining in the dance and the swaying and the singing and here's what happens when you start dancing you realize you want to keep the music going you realize that this community and this practice of abundance and this weekly reminder that abundance is here is a reminder that another world is possible and everything in our faith starts to make sense we believe that God's kingdom can be present here and we can help shepherd it in it's worth investing in don't you think it's worth making sure that it's here for the next generation of neighbors who need to learn that joy is rebellion and that community is resistance [00:46:42]

Linking arms with people who choose hope over fear helps you become unstoppable it helps you be the light of Christ in the world the music is already playing friends and the dance floor is open come join us [00:47:54]

Joy is the last word the spirit clothes you for a communal dance courage that protects life and mercy that studies neighbors these are your steps in this dance you are held you are sent go enjoy so [00:50:51]

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