My Source of Joy

My word this year is joy. I almost resented it at times, because it felt like the very thing God gave to me was what had to be tested.

Here’s the question I’ve wrestled with that I can now put into words: is joy found in God’s blessing or in God’s presence? The more I’ve meditated on it, the more I’ve discovered that God’s presence is the blessing.

It sounds like a simple revelation, but it isn’t to walk out. I needed to change the attitude of my heart— from believing I’m blessed when God gives me what looks like a favorable life— to believing I’m blessed because I have access to a holy God who loves me and wants a relationship with me.

The events of our lives are ever changing. This year life has been stretching, beautiful, challenging, unexpected. In moments I felt defeated, like things could never get better. It’s been full of new beginnings, discouraging, exciting, I experienced the most anxiety I have in years, I found a safety and love I didn’t dare to hope for. It’s simultaneous; it’s all of it. And yet when I wake up each morning, God is worthy of my worship and devotion.

I’ve had so many days where I’ve been sprinting through the events of my life, trying to make sense of it and be happy based on my own understanding. Then I heard God gently say, “Just sit with me. Bring it all to me. Let me be your joy.” It’s a powerful discipline when you instruct your downcast soul to incline it towards God and praise him anyways. If joy has felt far off for you, I promise that something shifts when we choose to put his praise on our lips. And it’s for you, too.

I’ve loved Psalm 16:11 for many years. It says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.”

It doesn’t say in your blessing there is fullness of joy. Or in answered prayers and giving me all my desires is fullness of joy— although God is so kind and blesses me with so many good things. But it’s always been him! The fullness of joy is found in his presence, just knowing him and having a relationship with him. Jesus is our joy!!

So when life is heavy and when laughter is sweet, may we daily remind our souls: “All my springs of joy are in you.”