Joy, Joy, Joy, unending Joy.
In this season, we hear a lot about joy. It is in the Christmas songs on playlists, Joy to the World rings out as we negotiate a parking space at the mall. We see the word lit up in lights among the decorations. We are reminded to be joyful by advertisements for alcohol, diamond jewellery, or perfumes. But what is Joy?
Joy supersedes happiness. Happiness is an emotion that can come or go depending on the circumstances surrounding us. It is a good, positive emotion that makes us, well, happy. Joy is deeper, more profound. Joy is a state of being. Joy holds a higher resonance. It embraces a deep delight, gladness, a sense of well-being, a sense of spiritual wellness. Joy is like a deep well that sustains us even in times of trial or drought. Happiness may happen to us. Joy is within us. Jesus tells us to “Ask, and you will receive so that your joy will be complete” JN16.24
Joy can be described as bubbling up, like an eternal spring that exists within our hearts.
I did a quick survey before I wrote this article, and asked people. “What brings you joy?”
These are the answers that I received from different people. Interestingly, many people gave the same answers.
Playing with my grand children, watching children play, listening to children speak or sing.
Listening to music, singing, dancing. Music lifts our mood. Singing a song out loud, really loud. Playing the piano. Playing my drums. Dancing in the kitchen while I make dinner.
Playing with or watching my dog. Petting our cat.
Holding my new baby.
Playing a game with others. Spending time with my friends. Having a deep heart-felt conversation. Getting something accomplished, especially if I had been putting it off.
Sewing. Throwing clay to make pots or mugs. Swimming in the sea. Painting.
Baking a pie, cake, or cookies, and chocolates and gifting them to my friends and family.
The smell of orange, or cinnamon…invokes a memory of baking with my Mom.
Walking in the snow. Walking on the beach. Watching and listening to the birds outside.
Just being with my loved ones. Smiling at people. Saying Thank you. Listening to my spouse. Surprising my child with a gift or an outing.
Read the list again and see what you notice. Most of the joy moments came from being with others, doing for others, or being in nature or feeling close to God. Not one person I interviewed said their joy came from a diamond necklace or a new car or a bottle of Scotch.
The other element I noticed was that so many found joy in giving to others. One person volunteers every year with a charity that provides meals and gifts for people. She said it was the highlight of her Christmas season. Joy comes from a sense of purpose, rooted in relationship with self, God and others. That is what Jesus was talking about.
There used to be a slogan for the Red Cross, saying ‘Blood, it’s in you to Give”. Isn’t it true that joy is also in us to give. In fact the more we give of it, the more we get back. Remembering that joy is deeper than a passing emotion, it is an essential part of you. It exists within you. It is not something to be strived for, it is already there. As you become attuned to resonance of joy, you will see and feel and choose it.
Take some time today or over the next few weeks and uncover, experience and elevate your joy.
Sometimes, I dare say, even often, our joy gets covered over. We may perceive that we are too busy, too stressed, to oppressed, to obsessed, to distracted, too confused, too abused, too sad or lonely to uncover and hold our joy. Those are lies. The truth is your joy never leaves you. It waits patiently for you to remember and come back to it. Your spirit holds it there like a candle lighting your way in the darkness. Joy, Joy, unceasing Joy.
Come in from the cold. Come to the light that waits for you. Pause, breathe.
Remember how loved you are. You are love. Created in the image of love. The eternal love that is never extinguished. Your spirit knows. Rest. Ask and receive.
May joy be with you, within you, and through you. May you sing out loud and let joy fill you with that glorious, magnificent resonance. May the soft stillness of snow falling, or of a sunrise bring a smile to your face and a glow to your being. May peace, joy and love live within you. May your joy increase, and your wonder never cease. May God blessings surround and sustain you.
