"A joyful heart is good
medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs
17:22ESV
Confession time. I'm a joy
chaser. What's a joy chaser? A joy chaser is someone who chases after
THINGS in hopes of catching a little bit of joy. The trouble is, a
joy chaser either catches just the tail end of the joy and then loses
their grasp or they miss it entirely. It's like a unicorn running
swiftly through the forest. A joy chaser can see the unicorn of joy,
but they can't quite get it in their grip.
And that's me. I'm a joy
chaser. I chased joy in the guise of homeschooling and then around
the corner and down the street into this house. I chased joy in the
nursery at church and with the "big kids" there too.
Lately, I have been chasing joy down the road while I run and in my
kitchen while I cook. I chase joy in books and in movies and in brand
new red pants that I just love. And maybe that isn't all bad, to be
chasing joy, but the Bible says this about joy:
"Until now you have
asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy
may be full." - John 16:24ESV
And also this:
"May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of
the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." -Romans 15:13ESV
I realized just today that I
am a joy chaser (or maybe I've known a long time) and I am chasing it
in all the wrong places. Sure, being healthy is a good thing. My kids
going to public school this year has been amazing for them. Red pants
are a happy thing as is the Dairy Free ice cream that I simply can't
say no to. We love this house and our chickens. But my joy isn't here
in any of these THINGS.
The Bible makes it clear
that if I want joy, I have to go straight to the source. I have to go
to God to get my fill of joy. Paul talks about that in Philippians
when he tells his readers that he has learned the secret to being
content. He knows that he can "do all things through Christ"
who strengthens him. He knows that whether he has a little or a lot
here on earth, he still has all he needs. He still has Jesus.
So what are the steps to
getting joy? I'm still figuring it all out but I know that these are
the first ones:
1. Let go of all the things-
We don't have to do it all or have it all. Joy isn't in our stuff.
It's not something we can buy at a store or order online. Trust me,
I've checked. If Amazon doesn't have it, no one does. Let's just be
real.
2. Give away some of your
time- Believe it or not, joy hides in the weirdest of places. It
hides inside a crying baby that just needs held or fed. It's on the
top shelf in the dustiest corner at the food bank where you're asked
to stack cans. It's in the bottom, over-stuffed drawer of your son's
dresser just waiting to be donated to Goodwill or the family around
the corner. It's even in the car as you drive others around because
they need a ride.
3. Talk to Jesus- He loves
to hear from you. God says that we are all fearfully and wonderfully
made. He longs to have a relationship with you. And nothing gives HIM
more joy than to hear from you about your life. Give him all your
worries, all your concerns, all your dreams and hopes and wishes, and
all your happy thanks. He'll take it all in heaps and still have
space to hold more. Don't forget to ask him for JOY because he will
give it in abundance.
4. Read your Bible- We talk
to God through prayer and God talks BACK through scripture. Those
ancient words written so many thousands of years ago still speak to
us today. I can't tell you the number of times that I have whispered
a plea to hear from God as I read only to read something that made
total sense in that moment as I searched the Bible's pages. Don't
know where to start? Check out John. You will meet Jesus as the God
who LOVES you.
Which step are you going to
take today?
Be blessed today and don't
forget to be a blessing!
