Experiencing Joy

This morning I was reading John Ortberg’s Living the God Life. He’s been writing about joy. Here are a few thoughts from this morning’s reading

• Joy is my responsibility (emphasis is mine).
• People who want to pursue joy need to practice the disciplines of celebration.
• Spiritual celebration means doing activities - activities that bring pleasure like gather with friends, singing and dancing, eating and drinking - while reflecting on the wonderful God who has give us such wonderful gifts.
• When we celebrate, we exercise our ability to see and feel goodness in the simplest gifts of God.
• The first step for pursuing join is simply to begin now. This day!!
• We all live with the illusion that joy will come someday when conditions change - graduate from school, find a mate, get a new job, have children, etc.
• “This is God’s day,” the psalmist says. It is the day God made, a day that Christ’s death has redeemed.
• If we are going to know joy, it must be in this day–today.
• If we don’t rejoice today, we will not rejoice at all.
• This is the day that the Lord has made.
• This is the Dee Dah Day! (That’s John’s version of the kitchen dance)

So guys have you rejoiced today? To be honest, I was struggling to find joy today. I woke up overwhelmed by financial concerns I am experiencing - truck’s in the shop, paying for a wedding, paying bills, etc. You know what I mean. Then I remembered that my heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50:10) and His timing is perfect. So why am I so worried? I’m a guy, go figure.

With that I opened my journal and began sharing my heart with God. Then I cranked up some Shane & Shane to spend some time in worship. And guess what? I will most definitely break out in song some time this morning. I know some of you are glad you’re not here to experience my version of “singing”, but I don’t even care. HAH!!

All I know is that Satan’s job is to steal my joy. And I’ve let him have at it for too long, now. I mean, he didn’t even have to sneak around, I just gave it to him. Not today little man. You do not get my joy! It’s reserved for the one who gave His life for mine and you didn’t. . .haven’t. . .and won’t. Later dude.

C’mon guys, lets sing unto the Lord a new song (Ps 96; 98). He didn’t say sing on key or read like a pro. The psalmist simply said that we should sing - rejoice!! Join in the chorus of hearts expressing shear delight in God’s love for us. Make something up. Who cares? I do it all the time when I run. OK. . .co-workers may wonder about you and look at you a little strange, but it’s not about them anyway. Right?

I will guarantee you this. You earnestly sing to the Lord today and your outlook on this entire day will change. If it doesn’t email me, well talk about it. If it does change, let us know. What did you do - sing, read Scripture out loud, a time of confession, a kitchen dance? How did you feel afterwards? Me? I’m feeling the change taking place. My heart is getting a little lighter. The muscles in my face are beginning to relax. The smile I love to wear is beginning to come back. That’s me.

What about you?

Mike