OWL Scripture Reflection Autumn 2025: Joy!

Joy!
By Rev. Amy Johnson
UCC Minister for Sexuality Education & Justice
November 2025

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. –Psalm 98:4

In 2020, when it felt like the world was falling apart in so many ways, my colleague, Chris, led a worship service for national staff online that included This Joy that I Have. I’ve come back to it over and over again through the years, as the world feels like it’s fall apart in all kinds of new ways. It reminds me that the world is not the source of my joy. The world doesn’t give me my joy, and it follows that the world can’t take it away. Same for peace, and love, and the things that pass our understanding.

So, on the same day I learned about the extent of the pronatalist movement and persistent lies about birth control all over social media, I had a text conversation with a beloved about how we are coping. She told me she sang loudly in her car that day, and sent me a playlist. And I smiled.

This morning, on the way to the airport, I heard a song I knew the words to and cranked up the volume so I could air drum and air keyboard my way through it on that journey.

We cannot count on the world to care for us. We need to count on each other. Small is all—we need our local communities of neighbors and friends, congregations and families-both biological and chosen. We must care for each other as though we belong to one another, because in Christ, we do.

I know it feels heavy many days, and that our trans and nonbinary beloved are fighting for their very existence every minute of the day. Social media is overflowing with lies about dangers of birth control and sexuality education and gender and religion.

Finding ways to feel joy, to express joy, to live joyfully—these are actions of faith. They help us remember that we do not worship the world. Our hope resides in one who challenges the power-hungry in order to create an abundant life here and now for all.

Make a joyful noise! It is the battle cry of justice and mercy—and it just might make you feel better, too.