By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon
The atmosphere at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse Headquarters, Abuja, was filled with colour, worship and deep reflection today as members and guests gathered for the church’s annual Carol Service, held under the month’s theme, “Ending with Joy, Honour and Gladness.”
The service opened with several soul-lifting renditions of hymns, worship and praise songs by the church choir, setting a reverent and joyful tone for the celebration. This was complemented by short drama playlets vividly portraying the birth of Jesus Christ, reminding the congregation of the humility, hope and divine purpose surrounding the Nativity.
Adding rich cultural depth to the service were presentations by children and teenagers, whose performances highlighted innocence, faith and the continuity of the Christian message across generations. A special Hausa presentation further reflected the church’s inclusiveness and cultural diversity, drawing warm applause from the congregation.
Delivering the message of the day, Pastor Ademola Adebisi preached on the topic “How to Experience Full Joy,” drawing his text from Esther 8:1–8, 15–17. He emphasized that the story of Esther illustrates how divine intervention can turn seasons of threat into celebrations of honour, joy and gladness.
Explaining the highlights of the message, Pastor Adebisi carefully unpacked the concepts of joy, honour and gladness, noting that each carries a distinct spiritual influence. According to him, joy is not merely an emotion but a spiritual force, honour is a divine endorsement, and gladness is the visible expression of God’s goodness.
He stressed that light is essential for full joy, noting that ignorance darkens the soul while revelation brings freedom. Quoting Proverbs 17:22, he reminded the congregation that “a merry heart does good like medicine,” while referencing Proverbs 24:10 to caution that fainting in difficult times reflects a lack of inner strength.
“Joy,” pastor explained, “is a catalyst for divine ideas. When joy is present, heaven releases wisdom.” He described joy as the fuel that propels victory, encouraging believers not to allow circumstances to steal their spiritual strength.
Outlining practical steps on how to enjoy full joy, Pastor Adebisi urged worshippers to:
Safeguard their mental health, citing Psalm 100:1–2, and encouraging joyful service to God.
Turn problems and challenges into prayers, referencing Psalm 4:5–7, where joy is restored through trust in God.
Practice gratitude consistently, drawing from Psalm 107:1, and reminding the church to be thankful to God regardless of conditions.
In his closing exhortation, he charged the congregation to let their joy be full, noting that true joy transcends situations and anchors the believer in God’s faithfulness. Echoing philosophical wisdom, he observed that “life does not always change first; perspective does,” and it is joy that refines perspective into hope.
The service concluded on a high note of thanksgiving and celebration, with congregants leaving refreshed, inspired and reminded that, just like in Esther’s day, God still turns mourning into joy, disgrace into honour, and uncertainty into gladness.
Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon is a freelance writer and Christian educator based in Abuja, Nigeria, with a passion for documenting faith-based initiatives and their impact on communities.