Joy

What is the difference between joy and happiness? My first thought was joy is something more internal and comes from deep down inside me.  Happiness is a fleeting thing – never lasting.  I can think of thousands of moments that brought me happiness in my life.  I can recall so many wonderful memories of vacations, times spent with family during holidays, and even favorite gifts I have received.  Happiness is when everything is going good.  But when those times change (and they do for all of us), or after the fancy wrapping paper and ribbons are torn away, we discover there is something missing.  Hopefully, for many of us, through time, a little wisdom and soul searching, you and I discover what is that missing piece.  When doing some research on what some others’ definitions are of joy, here are some thought-provoking quotes that may help us all to see a little clearer. “Joy – the kind of happiness that doesn’t depend on what happens.”  “One of the best ways to receive joy is to give it away.”  “Joy isn’t about circumstances. It’s a position of the heart.”  So, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being total joy, where do you fall?  One of my favorite quotes is “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s learning to dance in the rain.”  Exactly!  But, I know what you’re thinking… it’s easier said than done.  My joy, and the only thing I feel is lasting, is my walk with Jesus.  It’s part of my prayers to feel the joy of God’s love more and more every day.  Face it, everything else either passes or disappoints and doesn’t even come close to measuring up.  Fellow believers, I know you’ll agree with me that the first time we realize we’re experiencing the pure joy of God’s love, it’s overwhelming, humbling, and leaves you wanting to be enveloped in his loving arms more and more.  I can attest that I have experienced a wonderful tingling feeling on my skin, down to my toes.  It may be when I’m singing during church, distributing His Body and Blood, or other times when I’ve felt His presence.  That feeling of joy surpasses any “feel good” drug on the market and it’s free to all who just ask!  We all need to experience more joy – and that can only come from being connected to a church community, hanging out with like-minded people for support, thinking of others before ourselves, reading the Bible, praying, and remembering that learning about our faith never ends.  Stop!  Listen to Jesus calling you right now – to a life full of joy – not a fleeting happiness that comes from receiving that earthly gift, but the gift of His spirit.  That is pure joy!

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  Psalm 16:11