Finding Joy Part II

Joy never hides

It can't

Joy isn't a ride

It lasts

Joy has no price

It won't

Joy gives its life

Its found

In Christ

Oh, dear, just to give you a quick overview of what this week has been like:  On Monday I decided to make this a "Making Your Home Sing Mondays"post, but it didn't happen.  On Tuesday, I decided to make it a" Tuesdays Together in the Word" post, but it didn't happen.  Hmmm, maybe I'll finally post this on Wednesday?  Maybe...  One thing is for sure, it's a great week to talk about joy because I need it! ^_^

A couple months ago, God started speaking to me about joy.  In this conversation I had with him, he told me he wanted to give me a joy that lasts through the demands of my days.  (Oh yes, I want that!)  He led me to the scripture about him washing his disciples' feet.

"Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.  The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

  John 13: 1-5

Jesus showed the full extent of his love by washing feet!  He, the Lord and Teacher, became a servant.  This is what love looks like, acts like, is like.  But what about the joy?  Well, where love is, joy also abounds.  God was showing me the things I do to serve my family are what bring the greatest joy--to Him as well as to me!  Joy comes when everything in me is screaming for a break and I choose not to be ruled by my selfish nature, but to imitate Christ by taking the role of a servant.  I was missing this truth.  Could doing the laundry really be a joyful task?  What about juggling three kids while folding the laundry?  All the millions of little tasks I do during the day were wearing me thin and I was becoming worn and weary.  They were just "Things To Do" and not "Ways I Serve Him".  I was doing them because they had to be done, not because they show my love for Jesus or because they are my ministry.  

I believe we fall in love, but I also believe that love is a choice every day after that!  The same is true for the joy of the Lord!  He fills us with joy in his presence, and then we must choose joy  (and live in his presence) every day. 

I choose joy when I choose to spend time with my Jesus before I do anything for him.

I choose joy when I choose to be thankful instead of discouraged.

I choose joy when I choose to worship instead of worry.

I choose joy when I choose to serve rather than be served.

I pray I will choose Jesus today.  I pray I will choose joy!