February 20, 2026
Joy is Always New
The word “ecstasy “helps us to understand more fully, the joy that Jesus offers. The literal meaning of the word can help to guide our thinking about joy. “Ecstasy” comes from the Greek “ekstasis,” which in turn is derived from “ek,” meaning out, and “stasis” a state of standstill. To be ecstatic, literally means to be outside of a static place. Thus, those who live ecstatic lives are always moving away from rigidly fixed situations and exploring new, unmapped dimensions of reality. Here we see the essence of joy. Joy is always new. Whereas there can be old pain, old grief, and old sorrow, there can be no old joy. Old joy is not joy! Joy is always connected with movement, renewal, rebirth, change - in short, with life.
“You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
- Psalm 16: 11
Reflection Question: What feels static or fixed in me right now, and how might God be calling me into an “ecstatic” freedom?
