We are only three months past Christmas and probably most of us are no longer singing or even hearing “Joy to the World” on the radio or in church. What’s wrong with that? Surely, we need joy in our world, especially during these challenging days.
Joy is one thing we can get, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, in our inner world if we but ask for it. That’s called ‘intentional joy’. Why not put a little joy into your heart?
Now. If you and Beethoven want to get your joy on, here you go:
hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJcQYVtZMo
Some of us, from time to time, go searching for joy. I did. So I found a book, Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis. In this, Lewis’ spiritual autobiography, he was tricked by surprises along his journey from atheism to theism and eventuality to Christianity. Oh, and do I need to mention that Joy was Lewis’ wife’s name? Now, if you go looking for joy, you might by surprised by joy, not at all as you expected.
Some people get a lot of joy from giving to others. Remember, the gifts are always returned to you: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:38)
After all this, if you are still searching for joy, how about singing joy into your heart? --Joy deep into your heart? Remember this childhood song?
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart to stay.
Joy deep in our hearts, ode to joy, being surprised by joy, and giving to others are several prompts we might need every day. Choose yours and be joyful!
--by Jan
|