I Think I've Had it Wrong

I think I've had the wrong perspective on joy. I have been thinking of joy as something I have to choose despite my circumstances. But joy is an overflowing of the heart that is excited about who God is and what Christ has done. Joy exudes from those who are WHOLLY surrendered to Him. Joy rises up like smoke from incense out of the beautiful, fragrant intimacy that happens between the Lord and me. So, why is joy so hard for me to find? Am I too focused on my circumstances? Yes. Am I wholly surrendered? No. Am I where I need to be in my relationship with the Lord? No. Well, I guess that answers the question of where my joy is. I think I've also had a sense of entitlement, like God owes me joy for some reason. He owes me squat, except His wrath! Hmm...something to dwell on.

I think this may be the first step of joy:

"...the delight of despair comes when 'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells...' (Romans 7:18). I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when he reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible" (Oswald Chambers 5/24).

Here is another tidbit from Oswald Chambers (well, from God through O.C.):

John 15:11
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

"What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word 'happiness' in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father--the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do--'...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross...' (Hebrews 12:2). 'I delight to do Your will, O my God...' (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in teh same fellowship and oneness wtih Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, '...the cares of this world...choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful' (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold--He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.

Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you 'will flow rivers of living water' (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His 'living water.' Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live 'your life...hidden with Christ in God' (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing" (8/31).

All I know is, this is a lot to chew on. I guess expect more blogs about this in the near future. In the meantime, here's a great song we've all heard a million times, but the words stopped me today. It's actually the song God used to tell me to go on my first overseas trip. And tonight it's the song that He tells me why there's reason for joy--He is holy! God Almighty! The earth is filled with His glory!