Joy

I came upon a journal entry a few minutes ago and felt it worth sharing. It is about writing about joy that comes in life. I decided to set a particular journal aside for writing particularily about instances or thoughts of joy. Well, lately it has been used for writing quotes and verses...but that brings joy as well!

The journal entry is dated September 8th, 2007 and is as follows:

"It is a strange thing, my desire to write, yet my inability to write or think anything rational when pen and paper are in my hand. It is as if I am intimidated at the power of words-the power of words to teach, to exhort, to hurt, to encourage, to reveal, to understand, to kill, to love. The words in my head can overcome me, but when I put them on paper, they have power to overcome others. Do I want that kind of control? Or can it be used in a God glorifying way to turn hearts towards what they are created for.

"I have decided to dedicate this book soley to the writings of the occurances, experiences, lessons, feelings and anything of the like that pertain to joy. It must not be written in unless joy can be encountered and felt throughout the pages and words...ahh, there we go. Words. Words...of joy! How peasant those must be to the ear of God. For, joy is much different than mere happiness. Happiness is temporary-a fulfillment of the moment that gives one a sensation of joy. A mere taste. But joy...oh sweet joy. Joy is a complete fulfillement. It is a fulfillment that cannot be contained, seen, touched or bought. Joy is eternal. Joy is finding strength, endurance and hope no matter what the circumstances. And that can only be found in Christ. Christ is joy. 

"So why am I writing now, what joy have I experienced now. The joy of contentment despite the realization of reality. Life is not always how we want or think it should be. There are dissapointments, changes, disasters. But despite these things, joy holds fast. Why? Because there is still hope. There is no point, no reason, and no life in giving up or giving in to dissapointment because things do not turn out. God is sovereign. He has planned it all and has everthing in His power and control. Moreoverly, He works all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. So tonight, as I sit and contemplate and desperately wish that the thoughts and words in my head might reside but a second longer so I may capture them, I am filled with joy; because I know that wherever God leads me and whatever He calls me to it is for good, and it is for His glory-and that...that fills me with joy."

I think that I need to be reminded of this more often. And to add to it: God desires us to have joy, He tells us in His word that He will "give you the desires of your heart"(ps 37:4) and He "satisfies you with good "(ps. 103: 5) and He knows that the only true satisfying joy, all that truely is good for us is Christ. 

"Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. " Philippians 3:8a

remember...

So I realized the other day...well, maybe it was like a week or two. I have not done anything to this blog since I returned from Taiwan, so I decided to start back up.

I have chosen the title "In all your ways..." as a reminder to myself, and by God's grace to those who read this. A reminder to: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6. This is a commonly known passage, but if you look at the context in the chapter, it is a charge to remember and keep God's commands, a charge to remember God's steadfast love and faithfulness, a charge to trust and seek God, for true wisdom is found only in Him. I have clung to the passage of verses 5-6 since I was young. It was some of the first verses I learned and something about it, even in my young age, jumped out at me and clung to my heart. I have experienced some different things in my life so far, some hard, some very painful, some confusing, some exciting, some hurtful, some challenging; yet through each circumstance I am reminded, at some point, of this passage. And every time it comes to mind I am taken back to the feeling, the simplicity, the confidence, of faith like a child. So the title "in all your ways..." is exactly what it says. No strings attached, no hidden meanings, not even any deep theological concept, it is what it is: Trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him...in ALL your ways.

As life the last few months has taken a bit of a new turn for me...working full time...I am drawn, yet again to this charge. What a tremendous God my Savior is that no matter what state of life He has me in, this truth can and always will apply, I must draw upon it, I must remember to trust God, acknowledge God, in ALL my ways, why? He will make straight my paths.

"By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil." Proverbs 16:4