Joy Awaits You

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

Imagine waking up to a knock on the door. You are at first a little leary about opening it. In the midst of your hesitation, your heart pounds inside your chest, almost drowning out the sound of bare knuckles rapping on wood. You finally decide to get up and walk towards the door, the only thing separating you from the potential intruder. You squint one eye, staring into the peep hole and out into the sun-drenched landscape before you. You notice there is not a single person in sight. Seemingly harmless, you decide to unlock the door. Just before you step outside, you are met by a sudden gust of wind, blowing through your hair, caressing your cheek, and easing past you, whistling a wild romantic ride of melodic variation and modal interchange.

No more than a moment later, a surge of joy rushes through your bloodstream and into your arteries, quickening your heartbeat as it starts to skip in half-second intervals. You begin to choke on laughter and your eyes fill with tears as you embrace this experience of elation. It tickles your soul and arouses your senses. You are now very aware of the world around you. You push past the entryway and embark on a voyage of discovery. Your sole quest is to absorb every minor detail. You notice now the rapid movement of the short-spanned wings of a hummingbird. You detect the shrill of chanting voices in the park across the street. "1, 2, 3" they shout over a game of hop-scotch. You taste the salty beads of sweat that fall from your hairline and trickle down your brow. You smell barbeque pits gorged with burnt charcoal, boasting of summer's arrival. You breathe in and then pause. You place your fingertips around the hot metal of your doorknob as two paths lay before you: walk back into the "wilderness" and forget today's excursion or continue on with your day, allowing joy to rest upon your shoulders as the mantle God has prepared for those who will share His word.

Joy awaits God's children. We just have to remember to leave the door open to let it in, allowing it to dwell amongst us, within us, and even on us. As we wear joy, we are being strong representatives of how good and faithful God is in our lives. Remember we are a walking testament of His unconditional love.

Let us also remember that each and every day is uniquely created for us. As we learn to experience joy in our lives, God will unravel His peculiar and awesome mysteries, wrapped up in tiny packages. Let us leave nothing unnoticed, even the minor details. For in what seems insignificant, God has something great and valuable to show us if we would open our hearts and allow joy to play its part.

Stay encouraged, readers! God bless you!