But then there is also joy, isn’t there.

This earthly life has a tendency to weigh on us, doesn’t it?

After all, the constant media barrage we consume generally is vastly negative. Demonstrations of competing ideological positions. Name calling. Mistrust. It can eat us up if we let it.

And then on the personal side, we suffer heartbreaks and we watch loved ones experience the same. Lord have mercy, how difficult is that!

Admit it: It’s a battle to remember that this inexplicable and wonderfully made creation also presents us with joy when we’re in a mind frame to see it.

As Psalm 30:5 tells us: “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Earlier this week, during confirmation, we spent nearly the entire night walking about town, talking about where we saw God in action. In my experience, by this time in the school year, the last thing our kiddos are ready for is a 90-minute faith lecture when the springtime is beckoning outside. Why fight it? … So I roll with it.

As we walked the dirt roads of our small town, the kids pointed out where they saw our Creator in action. Albeit, some of the examples were a stretch, drummed up by teenagers whose minds were maybe on just getting to our ultimate destination: the school playground. … But humorous stretches no doubt!

Heartwarming stuff. The stuff of a good life. The kids reminded me again to look for joy.

That night, on my drive home, the spring sunset was spectacular. An explosion of colors no words can describe, partially hidden behind a cloud bank and the western treeline, both of which added a dramatic effect.

On the radio, a powerful, upbeat Caribbean-sounding song by Nadirah Shakoor, whom if you’re not familiar with, I encourage that you should be.

Window down, springtime breeze blowing in. The smell of freshly turned soil in the fields along the highway.

My goodness, how lucky was I in that moment!

I would never minimize the difficulties of this world. There are a great many, and for some more than their fair share. But friends, there also is joy.

In fact, all through the creation story in Genesis, after each day, God announces “it is good.” And then on the sixth day, including the day of the creation of humanity, God declares “it is very good.”

I know that sometimes it feels impossible to look for the joy. There are times it may even feel sacrilegious to do so.

But I assure you God wants you to know that to feel joy is part of the plan.

Always remember, the Lord’s Prayer tells us “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Joy is good. We need joy. Go seek joy my friends. Amen.

Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.