"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is the fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
I realize that this is actually a day late, but as I celebrated turning another year older yesterday, with all the festivities, I couldn't help but think about the wonderful blessings in my life. Obviously my beautiful wife, rambunctious son, wonderful family and spectacular friends top that list, but I am also grateful for so many other things that I couldn't even begin to list them all.
It was at my 30th birthday last year that I began a Daniel Fast to find some direction for the rest of my life. Throughout the journey, I felt that God was telling me to write. To write about Him and about my experiences and my life with Him. So I started praying, planning and developing outlines, and in October of last year, I started this blog with His direction. The support has grown more than I could have ever expected in that short time. I am thankful for everyone of you that read my ramblings.
The very first post I wrote is still the main focus of this project, despite my occasional ranting (yes, I know it happens, and I'm sorry, sometimes I just can't help it). So for those who are new here and haven't seen it, or those who might want to read it again, I've decided to re-post it on this anniversary of God's working in my life. Thank you again for reading, and I hope that God can continue to use me to further His Kingdom! Here's to seeking out the joy that can only be found in the Father.
I realize that this is actually a day late, but as I celebrated turning another year older yesterday, with all the festivities, I couldn't help but think about the wonderful blessings in my life. Obviously my beautiful wife, rambunctious son, wonderful family and spectacular friends top that list, but I am also grateful for so many other things that I couldn't even begin to list them all.
It was at my 30th birthday last year that I began a Daniel Fast to find some direction for the rest of my life. Throughout the journey, I felt that God was telling me to write. To write about Him and about my experiences and my life with Him. So I started praying, planning and developing outlines, and in October of last year, I started this blog with His direction. The support has grown more than I could have ever expected in that short time. I am thankful for everyone of you that read my ramblings.
The very first post I wrote is still the main focus of this project, despite my occasional ranting (yes, I know it happens, and I'm sorry, sometimes I just can't help it). So for those who are new here and haven't seen it, or those who might want to read it again, I've decided to re-post it on this anniversary of God's working in my life. Thank you again for reading, and I hope that God can continue to use me to further His Kingdom! Here's to seeking out the joy that can only be found in the Father.
How would you define true joy? Is it simply that feeling of internal warmness? Or the sensation that prevents us from showing any expression other than a gigantic smile? Is it as simple as feeling happy or could it possibly be more? If you'll allow me to nerd-out for a moment, Dictionary.com defines joy as "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying." But Biblically, joy is not just emotional. It is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in which we are called to live (Gal. 5:22-26), and the fullness of that joy is found in the presence of God. He is our only real "exceptional good."
One of the most difficult revelations for me was that, although joy often involves good feelings, it is not always equated with my happiness. Happiness is a product of a happening, my circumstances. The root word is a Middle English word "hap," which means "chance" or "good luck." It is the same root as the words "perhaps" or "happenstance." Happiness is a direct effect of my worldly environment. Joy, on the other hand, is a direct effect of the Heavenly environment. Because my joy comes from Heaven, it becomes a cause in this world rather than an effect. When I choose to be in God's Holy presence, I then learn something new about His nature, about His love, about His grace, about His mercy, and even about His conviction. That is where I find true joy. This may seem obvious, but in order for us to find joy that comes from a Holy place, we must enter into a Holy place.
That's not to say God cannot provide His gift of joy to someone who doesn't seek His presence. Let's not box up the most powerful Being inside or outside this universe. But with a glimpse of something so wonderful, why wouldn't I want more? Entering into the presence of God regularly doesn't just provide a little of this wonderful joy. It allows me to experience it enough to fill up my "joy tank" and live in that gift as long as my tank is full. But just like the gas tank on a car, the joy tank has to be refilled. The more often I experience a full tank of joy, the more often my heart desires that experience. And the more this becomes my desire, the more I want to spill that joy out over everyone around me. This is living in the fullness of God's joy. Living in the fullness of God.
But if joy doesn't always present in the form of happiness, then how can it cause great delight? Joy can be observed in many forms, not all of which seem wonderful in the moment. Sometimes it manifests as the feeling of a weight lifted as I release a burden to the Father, and sometimes it causes a smile (or even tears) so big that it's impossible to speak. But sometimes God's gracious joy brings conviction and the need for change. Although this doesn't seem delightful in the moment, it is God preparing my life for something joyous that He has for me. Goodness is in the Father's nature, so whether the encounter with Him brings healing and breakthrough or revelation of sin and the need for grace, I have to know that the joy of the Lord is my strength (Neh. 8:10).
Father, I pray that You will draw everyone of us to You, to spend time in Your presence to experience the fullness of a Holy joy that can only be found with You. Whether it is in worship, the Word or just a silent moment listening for Your whisper, please meet us where we are today so we can fill ourselves with Your joy, and spread it to the worldly environment around us. Amen.
One of the most difficult revelations for me was that, although joy often involves good feelings, it is not always equated with my happiness. Happiness is a product of a happening, my circumstances. The root word is a Middle English word "hap," which means "chance" or "good luck." It is the same root as the words "perhaps" or "happenstance." Happiness is a direct effect of my worldly environment. Joy, on the other hand, is a direct effect of the Heavenly environment. Because my joy comes from Heaven, it becomes a cause in this world rather than an effect. When I choose to be in God's Holy presence, I then learn something new about His nature, about His love, about His grace, about His mercy, and even about His conviction. That is where I find true joy. This may seem obvious, but in order for us to find joy that comes from a Holy place, we must enter into a Holy place.
That's not to say God cannot provide His gift of joy to someone who doesn't seek His presence. Let's not box up the most powerful Being inside or outside this universe. But with a glimpse of something so wonderful, why wouldn't I want more? Entering into the presence of God regularly doesn't just provide a little of this wonderful joy. It allows me to experience it enough to fill up my "joy tank" and live in that gift as long as my tank is full. But just like the gas tank on a car, the joy tank has to be refilled. The more often I experience a full tank of joy, the more often my heart desires that experience. And the more this becomes my desire, the more I want to spill that joy out over everyone around me. This is living in the fullness of God's joy. Living in the fullness of God.
But if joy doesn't always present in the form of happiness, then how can it cause great delight? Joy can be observed in many forms, not all of which seem wonderful in the moment. Sometimes it manifests as the feeling of a weight lifted as I release a burden to the Father, and sometimes it causes a smile (or even tears) so big that it's impossible to speak. But sometimes God's gracious joy brings conviction and the need for change. Although this doesn't seem delightful in the moment, it is God preparing my life for something joyous that He has for me. Goodness is in the Father's nature, so whether the encounter with Him brings healing and breakthrough or revelation of sin and the need for grace, I have to know that the joy of the Lord is my strength (Neh. 8:10).
Father, I pray that You will draw everyone of us to You, to spend time in Your presence to experience the fullness of a Holy joy that can only be found with You. Whether it is in worship, the Word or just a silent moment listening for Your whisper, please meet us where we are today so we can fill ourselves with Your joy, and spread it to the worldly environment around us. Amen.
RSS Feed