"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11)
Jesus shared these words with His disciples after speaking at length to them of his love for them, and the Father's love for them, how They would abide in them, that He was sending the Spirit (the Helper) to be with them, and that they would have His peace. Overwhelming, I'm sure, and pretty amazing, eh?
I've been pondering this joy that Jesus speaks of over the past couple of days. Have you ever experienced true joy? Not just happiness, something that makes you smile, but joy: giggle-inducing giddiness; a wide-faced grin that makes your mouth and your teeth hurt; inexplicable tears running down your face and a warm sensation in your chest. THAT kind of joy!
I have, and it's amazing. Here's what it looks like for me:
- Riding my bike on a country road, surrounded by green fields of corn and beans, a seemingly endless blue sky above me, and my son on his bike next to me.
- My three-year-old grandson, clad in a t-shirt, shorts, and a smile, running in circles in the rain, laughing and splashing without a care in the world.
- Helping my dad, fresh off several rounds of chemo and radiation for cancer, fire up his chainsaw and cut up limbs for our burn pile.
- Holding hands with my wife of 30+ years as we sit on the couch watching TV after dinner.
- Rocking out with my kids/nephews/niece at a concert, dancing and moshing like I'm 30 years younger (a word of caution: it's best to stay clear of the pit).
...and sometimes it's simply me driving in my car, thinking about all of the ways that the Lord has blessed me in this wonderful life that He has made possible for me.
Gratitude abounds. Sometimes, we simply need to stop and experience the joy of what we have going on around us, acknowledge the presence of what's already there.
So, what does joy look like for you?
Peace,
~Brian
Jesus shared these words with His disciples after speaking at length to them of his love for them, and the Father's love for them, how They would abide in them, that He was sending the Spirit (the Helper) to be with them, and that they would have His peace. Overwhelming, I'm sure, and pretty amazing, eh?
I've been pondering this joy that Jesus speaks of over the past couple of days. Have you ever experienced true joy? Not just happiness, something that makes you smile, but joy: giggle-inducing giddiness; a wide-faced grin that makes your mouth and your teeth hurt; inexplicable tears running down your face and a warm sensation in your chest. THAT kind of joy!
I have, and it's amazing. Here's what it looks like for me:
- Riding my bike on a country road, surrounded by green fields of corn and beans, a seemingly endless blue sky above me, and my son on his bike next to me.
- My three-year-old grandson, clad in a t-shirt, shorts, and a smile, running in circles in the rain, laughing and splashing without a care in the world.
- Helping my dad, fresh off several rounds of chemo and radiation for cancer, fire up his chainsaw and cut up limbs for our burn pile.
- Holding hands with my wife of 30+ years as we sit on the couch watching TV after dinner.
- Rocking out with my kids/nephews/niece at a concert, dancing and moshing like I'm 30 years younger (a word of caution: it's best to stay clear of the pit).
...and sometimes it's simply me driving in my car, thinking about all of the ways that the Lord has blessed me in this wonderful life that He has made possible for me.
Gratitude abounds. Sometimes, we simply need to stop and experience the joy of what we have going on around us, acknowledge the presence of what's already there.
So, what does joy look like for you?
Peace,
~Brian
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