Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I was thinking that the rejoicing happens not only in heaven but also in my life when I repent. By repenting, I can experience joy — joy of salvation, joy of forgiveness, joy of being cleansed. There is a relationship between joy and repentance. When people lack joy in their lives, perhaps it’s because they have not engaged in confession and repentance. There is no joy when a person is full of themselves and their own sense of righteousness, and he/she is blind to him or herself. Repentance leads to joy because I get to confront who God is and who I am. And as a result, there is humility, a sense of unworthiness, and awe and gratitude towards God’s love, grace and mercy.