joy

Joy–in my experience, it is a fairly uncommon commodity. In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we too often lose track of this important spiritual priority.

Of course joy is not to be confused with giddiness, silliness, or a puerile spirit, you know, the type of attitude that can’t take anything seriously. Neither does it entail a make-believe existence, an unwillingness to face up to the many harsh realities that abound. Indeed, one might even argue that joy–being, first of all, an invisible, inner trait–can sometimes coexist with heartache and sadness.

But, what is joy? Some define it as inward happiness or a sense of heartfelt gladness. We might add that it is a kind of inner delight, flowing ultimately from God, residing in our hearts, and expressed in and through our lives.

Joy, I think, involves the realization, the sense, that we are a part of something big and wonderful. We are connected, somehow, to God and his world, and this–properly absorbed–produces childlike excitement and puts a youthful skip in one’s step. When we tap into important realities–things like truth, goodness, love, and hope–joy results.

In one place, we are even told that strength is derived from joy (Nehemiah 8:10), which is quite a thought. I’ve often found this to be true. Joy, in other words, can actually energize us! I suppose we could all use a dose of such spiritual enthusiasm. “Lord, let joy be my (our) strength.”