From Ordinary Water to Overflowing Joy
Day 4: Joy & Celebration—Music, Dancing, & the Carolina Coast
📖 Scripture Reading: John 2:8-9 (NLT)
"He said, ‘Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.’ So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over."
A Feast Worth Celebrating
Picture a beach bonfire after a shrimp boil, laughter ringing through the salty night air, waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. Imagine a Carolina blue sky stretching over a family picnic, the smell of ribs on the grill, kids playing tag in the grass.
Joy, in its purest form, is meant to be experienced, embraced, celebrated.
Yet, too often, we hold back.
Maybe we’re waiting for the “right time” to celebrate, or maybe life has hit us hard, and we’re afraid to let ourselves feel joy, worried it won’t last. Maybe we’ve bought into the idea that faith is about solemn endurance rather than vibrant celebration.
But Jesus? He didn’t just provide the wine—He provided the best wine.
At a feast, at a moment of joy, in the midst of laughter and music, He revealed His glory. He didn’t scold the people for celebrating. He didn’t turn the water into something “practical” like more food or better seating arrangements. He multiplied their joy.
What does that tell us about the heart of God?
Jesus & the Art of Celebration
Sometimes, we forget that our faith is one of joy.
The Bible is filled with feasts, with songs, with dance.
- "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." — Psalm 30:11
- "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" — Psalm 32:11
- "There is a time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance." — Ecclesiastes 3:4
Yes, there are seasons of hardship, of quiet endurance. But when was the last time you gave yourself permission to celebrate what God has done?
When was the last time you lifted your hands in worship, not just in surrender, but in delight?
When was the last time you laughed so hard it brought tears to your eyes?
Maybe it’s been a while. Maybe you’ve felt the weight of stress, grief, or just the exhaustion of daily responsibilities. Maybe joy feels out of reach.
But Jesus is the bringer of joy. And when He steps into the room, He invites us to celebrate.
Dipping into Joy
When Jesus told the servants to dip some of the wine and take it to the master of ceremonies, they had no idea what they were handing over. Just moments ago, that ladle held nothing but water.
And yet, when the master of the feast tasted it, he declared it the best wine of the night.
I wonder how many times we hold back from fully tasting joy because we assume it will be like everything else we’ve known. We sip hesitantly, expecting disappointment. We prepare ourselves for the letdown.
But when God pours joy into our cup, it’s not second-rate. It’s abundant. It’s overflowing. It’s the best.
Are you willing to dip in and taste it?
Reflection & Journaling Prompt
- How comfortable are you with joy? Do you find yourself holding back, fearing that if you celebrate too much, something might go wrong?
- When was the last time you fully embraced the gift of joy? Think of a moment when you felt free to celebrate.
- What would it look like to “dip into joy” today? Write a prayer, asking Jesus to renew your heart with His overflowing gladness.
📝 Write it down. Let this be a moment where you give yourself permission to embrace joy again.