Looking for Joy

Tulips bring a smile to my face whenever I see them.  After arranging some I had purchased I sat down and painted them from life, filling me with a renewed sense of joy. But, my joy has gone missing.  So I've set out to look for joy hoping if I found it, there would be a “filling,” so to speak in the empty places in my life. I wanted it! I already have so much to be grateful for… great husband, kids, grandkids, friends, community, a home,  food, and all the basics. So, where is my joy?

The dictionary defines it as “a state of happiness or emotion of great delight caused by something exceptionally good“… But the Bible describes joy as “cheerfulness, i.e., a calm delight.”   In John 15:11,  Jesus says, “Remain in my love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.”

Maybe I’ve been looking for joy in all the wrong places. I thought by reminding myself to be joyful would help, but it was short-lived. I thought to count my blessings would certainly do the trick and bring me joy but again, I let the cares of life, the schedule I keep, and the aches and pains that come and go, rob me of that joy.

I’ve discovered that I can’t will or conjure up joy. I can’t purchase it at TJ Maxx or have it by merely applying a smile to my face. It has to come deep within my core so that my actions express what's already present. But how?

This morning, I read in a devotional book that stated, “Joy is not dependent on circumstances. True joy is a byproduct of living in God‘s presence.” So, if I desire joy, I first must want God Himself. It’s remaining and abiding in Him and letting Him place His joy within me  (a miraculous occurrence). Only then will my joy be complete- a calming delight!

So if you see me with a smile on my face, a twinkle in my eyes and a bit of joyous laughter erupting from within me, chances are it’s because earlier in my day I purposed to sit as close to Jesus as I could so that His joy would be placed in me by Him.

I’m finding it’s not a one-time event. I can’t get joy today once and for all. No, it takes abiding and remaining in Christ. Joy is simply the byproduct of God and  I am staying connected. I find when in reading God‘s word, there’s a fresh filling of joy that bubbles up from within.

So it turns out the dictionary was right! “Joy is a state of happiness, or an emotion of great delight caused by something exceptionally good”, except it failed to mention that the “something exceptionally good” is Jesus-sitting next to Jesus!

In conclusion, I’ve stopped looking for joy because I now know where to find it. Now I’m trying to figure out how to daily abide in Christ and let him abide in me. Any ideas?

*John 15:1

“For the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” 1 Chronicles 16:26–27(NIV)

“You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”Psalm 16:11(NIV)

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.“ Psalm 19:8(NIV)

Oil painting2011

Writing 2012