The Joy That Doesn't Need Sight: Finding Glorified Joy in the Work

Brothers and sisters, sometimes the weight of the gospel feels so immense, so glorious, that we can almost *see* it. We look back at the testimonies of those who have been on the mission field, or perhaps we remember the sheer power of a temple sealing, and we think, 'If only I could see that, I would understand this joy.' It’s natural to want tangible proof, to need the vision or the experience to fully grasp the magnitude of what we’ve been given.

But as we continue in our journey as disciples—whether we’re preparing for a mission, serving in our callings, or simply trying to keep the covenant in our daily lives—we sometimes stumble into the trap of thinking that our spiritual progress is contingent on what we can see. We might start to minimize the incredible inheritance we have simply because we haven't been in a specific place, or we haven't had a particular revelation.

Recently, I was pondering 1 Peter 1:6–9, and how Peter addresses this very challenge. He wrote this to people who, like us, were not present at the pinnacle of the Atonement. He knew they hadn't seen the Lord in the flesh, and he knew that the temptation would be to let that absence diminish the glory of the covenant path.

The Miracle of the New Birth

What was Peter’s message? It wasn't, 'If you can't see it, it's not real.' Instead, he pointed us to something far more profound and immediate: the new birth. He reminds us that our joy, our ability to love Him, and our belief in Him are not based on physical sight. They are based on a supernatural work of God within us.

This is a powerful reminder for every member of the Rogue Disciples community. Our discipleship isn't a spectator sport; it's a covenant experience that happens *within* us. When we feel discouraged—when the missionary discussions feel dry, or when the challenges of the field seem overwhelming—we must remember that the joy we possess is a direct result of that divine gift.

Living Hope and Glorified Joy

Peter says, 'Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.' And Paul echoes this later, reminding us that our rejoicing is by hope—the hope of the glory of God. This isn't just vague optimism; this is a focused, eternal anticipation that shapes our present joy.

Think about what that means for us as Internet missionaries. We might never physically stand on every corner of the earth, but we can participate in the work through our testimonies, our service, and our consistent effort to live the gospel. Our faith, tested by the fires of daily life, is proving to be more precious than gold. That sustained, resilient faith—that is the evidence of the new birth.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you believe in Him, you rejoice with an inexpressible and glorified joy."

That "glorified joy" isn't just happy; it's a joy that has been refined, elevated by the promise of Christ's return and the glory to come. It’s the joy that keeps us going when the initial rush of mission preparation fades, and we are left with the steady, beautiful work of discipleship.

A Bite of Mission Prep & A Challenge

If we take one thing away today, let it be this: Never let the *absence* of a grand experience diminish the *reality* of the covenant you hold. Your current commitment—your willingness to study, to serve, to share your testimony—is the visible evidence of the invisible miracle.

For those of us who are preparing, or who are already serving, I want to challenge you this week to focus on gratitude for the *present* miracle. Don't wait for the next big thing to feel the joy. Instead, identify one small act of discipleship you did this week—a scripture study, a kind word, a moment of prayer—and meditate on how that single act testifies to the new birth. That's your evidence!

If you are looking for deeper study on this, I highly recommend diving into the scriptures through the LivingBook. Specifically, exploring the social scripture study layer around 1 Peter. It’s a wonderful way to see how others are wrestling with these same eternal truths.

If you’d like to keep this momentum going, join our next virtual gathering! We’re hosting a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this Thursday evening to discuss how to keep our joy grounded in the gospel, regardless of circumstance. Come prepared to share one thing that has sustained your faith this week.