Finding Joy

I have what you might call a "melancholy" personality. I don't see myself as a pessimist however, more like a realist. So, I was contemplating "realistically" the headaches of the holidays- I don't care much about decorating, or baking, or cards, or shopping. I get disgusted with the commercialism and secularization of the holiday.

But as I was doing my devotions one morning, I came across the familiar passage (Luke 2:10) where the angel says, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people..."

Jesus came to Earth, to bring great joy. Not a little bit of joy, but a heavenful amount of joy. And not just for the spiritual, or the wealthy, or the beautiful, or the smart. For ALL people. Even me. Even when I don't feel particularly special, or motivated, or happy. Jesus came to Earth to bring great JOY, in the promise of freedom from sin, and a relationship with a heavenly Father.

So I'm setting out on a journey to find joy. I know it's all around. I know it's in the little things, like a laugh shared with my children, or a sparkly Christmas gift, or a rich piece of chocolate. But I think it's like when I ask my son to pick up the dirty clothes from his room, and he says he did, but they're still there. I don't think it's so much skirting duties as it is an inability to see the dirty clothes peeking out from under his bed and in his closet. They've been there so long, he doesn't notice them.

I know the joy that Jesus brings is all around and within me. But without taking the time to notice, to appreciate, to really see, I don't feel the joy. I can't allow it to shape my day, my attitude, my life. I hope you'll join me as I search for JOY.

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