Joy
No, I have not imbibed nor have I been inhaling those exotic mushrooms that I have heard about. I am certainly not delusional. Well, maybe slightly. I had to get those disclaimers out of the way, because I am going to be discussing "joy." While it is the season to be "jolly," and choirs lustily sing "joy to the world," many of us have lost any affinity for "joy." Some of us are laboring away at jobs that threaten to steal our jour de vivre. We are the lucky ones. For many others, the Grinch made a stop at the place of employment and stuffed jobs into his sack, never to be heard from again.
So what the heck have we to be joyful about? For starters, this is still America. This is still "land of the free, and home of the brave." We may be down but not out. We can revel in our freedom and cherish it while we still have it. I would trade the fancy cars, the mansion, the yacht, and the race horse just to know that I can live in this land. Did I mention that I could be slightly delusional? I just provided proof. I do not own any of those accoutrements of wealth, nor do I wish to. And if I did, it would be a no-brainer for me to give those up if the choice were offered to keep or have those, or live in the country of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln...men of real courage and grace. Patrick Henry was deadly serious when he declared: "Give me liberty or give me death!" So am I.
What else have we to add to our "joyful list?" If you have a loving family and caring friends, your cup of joy overflows. You have someone to take you in when you are thrown out of the house that you used to own. You have someone to kindly laugh at your not so funny jokes. You have someone to spring to your defense, faster than you would spring to your own defense. You have a shoulder to cry on. You have a sounding board for your impractical and slightly delusional visions of grandeur. You have someone to remind you: "Never take hamburger to a banquet," as my dearly departed Mom used to remind me.
You think that you are "joyful" because you have family and friends? If you already realize that you are part of God's family, your joy cannot be registered on the "delirious" meter! Knowing that Someone else is in full charge of your life, and "will never leave you nor forsake you," does bring "joy unspeakable." I know when I pause in the middle of feeling sorry for myself because of mistreatment at the hands of a mere mortal, or a financial setback, the thought that I am the product of the Creator Who made all things, and He "has my back," returns the spring in my step, and gives me the resolve to go out and slay those metaphorical dragons! Sure, I periodically sink back into a morass, but like that energizer bunny, I spring right back, confident in knowing Who is really "Large and in charge!" I chuckle at the arrogance and idiocy of the pretenders to His throne, and envision the conversation that He will have with them, when they reluctantly have to leave behind their trappings of power, as Death throws their earthly bodies into its collection bin.
I look up at the heavens and see those clouds arranged in patterns like giant cotton balls. I look at the trees gently swaying in the breeze, some reaching almost to the clouds. I look out at the horizon where the water and the sky seem seamless. I see the angelic look on the face of a toddler as I coax a smile from him or her. I see an airplane gliding through the skies with "invisible cables" holding it up. Louie Armstrong sings it much better than I am trying to write. Listen to "What A Wonderful World," with lyrics such as "I see clouds of blue...red roses too....skies of blue.....clouds of white.....bright blessed days....dark sacred nights.......the colors of a rainbow." How can we not be joyful when we daily witness these tangible signs of the Artist known forever as "God?"
Let me call on His spokesmen to back up my case. Yes, joy does come in the morning!
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 84:4-5, 8-12
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalm 103:1-5, 11-12, 17-22
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. .
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12
2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Comments