One of the most important discoveries I’ve learnt over the past few years is the power of joy. It’s an onramp into knowing and being in God’s presence and experiencing more deeply the things of Heaven and what the Father is doing.
Joy encourages us and fuels hope, and hope activates our faith. Without joy and hope we don’t expect much, and life can soon become very monotone and grey!
It is very easy to fall into the trap of just doing what we need to do for the day, becoming busier and busier and never pausing to consider if we are actually enjoying any of what we are so busy doing. We can find ourselves not even bothering to stop and enjoy the scenery, the sunshine, the refreshing rain, the people around us, and all that God has blessed us with. Instead we can get in the habit of simply putting our heads down and busying ourselves with the task at hand, and doing that day after day, and week after week.
But that’s not really living, and it’s not the life that Jesus talked about when He said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]”(John 10:10)
God is a good God and He created us with a massive capacity for joy. He knows how important it is, and the creative and energising power joy releases in our spirit’s and souls. That’s why when we take the time to sit in His presence and begin to know and understand His Word and His heart we will soon discover He is the one who releases and also points us to joy. He’s placed desires, dreams, and abilities within us to pursue, because He knows they will bring us pleasure. When we are enjoying our life, and what we are “wired” to do and be, it naturally without struggle or striving opens our hearts and lives to Him so that we then also discover more fully the joy of knowing and being loved by Him.
Today take some time to breathe and to recognise within yourself those things that God has specifically designed and created to bring you joy. For our loving God has placed them within you as an expression of His love, and as an onramp into His presence.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
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