If you join me monthly for my One Word 2021 journey with JOY, you know for a tiny word, it speaks in huge ways! As I pondered my ten month expedition into the uncharted territory of biblical JOY, rich lessons greeted me often from unexpected places. My joy conversations with God moved me from a myopic view of JOY to one of depth, breadth, length and height equal to God’s infinite love for me.
With a mere two months remaining in 2021, my thoughts drift towards continuing the cultivation of JOY in my life. To that end, I pondered two statements posed by our One Word 2021 Group fearless leader, Lisa Burgess:
“I could have more JOY in my life if, I did [this] __________.”
“I could have more JOY in my life if I did not do [this] _________.”
Of course tossing a few pithy words in the blanks suffices for a beginning, but then without the blood, sweat and tears of genuine mental labor, my offering fails in provoking action or in creating interest for my readers.
Instead, join me for a unique perspective on the two sides to the answers which actually occupy those blanks. Read on for both my answers to those blanks as well as God’s answers to those blanks revealed through my JOY conversations with God.
joy Conversations with myself
Last month my joy conversations with others enriched my solitary joy with the JOY of others, illustrating the beauty of one eternal circle from the Source of all Joy through me to others and back again: a full circle of JOY.
Beginning this month meditating on the above statements, considering all my tiny word friend taught me thus far, produced numerous candidates for completing the statements. So in good Amazon wardrobe style, I piled them all up, and tried them on at my leisure.
JOY: one size fits all?
In a word, “NO”. Somehow, attempting various possibilities for having more joy by doing or not doing a particular thing threw me off track initially. Perhaps I fell prey to overthinking, but more likely I simply lost focus in my attempts at reducing JOY to a simple outcome of a specified action.
Stepping back, my thoughts reminded me I had but begun plumbing the depths of this diminutive word in ten months time. Cultivating more “JOY” necessitated keeping my focus fixed on the Source of all JOY.
Viewing JOY in front of a larger mirror I decided on the following accessories for assisting my efforts at surrounding myself with more JOY:
“I could have more JOY in my life if, I rested in God’s Presence”
“I could have more JOY in my life if I did not view the hard places of life negatively”
Joy conversations with god
Ideally, my assignment now completed, cultivating more JOY in my life seems attainable. But the restlessness provoking repeated attempts at trying on “better” candidates pressed me for several days.
Still sensing something was “missing”, in the true style of my JOY conversations with God, I brought these same statements to Him; boldly requesting He fill the blanks. My biggest shock truly came from the fact that He filled blanks; but the magnificence of the answers left me speechless.
“You could have more JOY in your life if, you knew ME more intimately”
“You could have more JOY in your life if you did not resist the suffering I ordain for you.”
he gives more joy
Admittedly, when first sitting with these two statements, it seemed a simple assignment. Perfectly timed near the end of my One Word 2021 journey with JOY, a lovely pause igniting reflection, until I sat awash in the depth of JOY’s treasures.
My restlessness with my own solitary answers reflected an incompleteness apart from God’s answers. My perspective on its own offers but a one dimensional view. But when placed in the hands of the source of all JOY, like a prism, my perspective is refracted and multiplied into a brilliant multi-faceted view of biblical JOY.
Resting in the Presence of God allows my intimacy and knowledge of Him to expand.
Refusing to resist God ordained suffering, receiving it instead with gratitude, removes the negativity previously attached to it.
Nearing the end of my JOY journey, desiring more JOY in my life points me to cultivate a deeper relationship and knowledge of my God; that His JOY might be my JOY. For in so doing; confident, hope-filled trust keeps my heart in every trial, embracing me within the eternal JOY dance of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Dear Donna, this post reads like the sketch of a poem! I love the way you interact with Lisa’s challenge. Joy is definitely what’s it’s all about. “Cultivating” joy sounds too easy, as if it’s a house plant that just needs to be watered regularly. The search/struggle has to be made joyful somehow.
David, thank you for your comment and for taking the time to read my post! Actually cultivating joy is not easy, and certainly has not been easy for me given my background. To get a feel for the full journey with JOY please read my other posts on my One Word 2021 page One Word 2021 as well as some of my regular posts as I continue to find “serenity in suffering”. I know God has something for me in this little word, and even though I’m nearing the close of the year, I’m sure I will continue to pursue what God has for me with my tiny word friend!!
Thank you for sharing how joy has become so much a part of your life! The idea of joy conversations with God is something that I am struck by and will try to incorporate into my life too. Thank for the inspiration, Donna.
Corinne, thank you for taking the time to read my post! I think this was one of my favorite months with my word so far!!
Those three little letters have truly been transformative ! YAY GOD!
Barb I certainly did not expect to be quite so transformed by such a tiny word!!!
Donna, I saw Lisa’s questions but didn’t take time to answer with my word. It was a blessing to read your thought process here and discover the profound answers you discovered. It makes such a difference when we view our sufferings through the lenses of gratitude and God’s sovereignty, doesn’t it? Hugs, friend.
Lois, thank you for reading my post and considering the answers to the questions my joy conversation with the Lord revealed! I have learned so much this year with joy, more than I could ever have imagined. I rejoice you found a blessing here today! Warm hugs to you dear friend!
Your word and its work have been contagious, my friend.
Michele, such an encouragement! Rejoicing at your words!
I love your “full circle of JOY,” Donna. Isn’t it amazing how much God can do through one tiny word! You’ve been an eager participant with him to let him guide you. Such an inspiration, friend.
Thank you, Lisa! I find it thought provoking the idea of the full circle of joy is coming now as I end my one word journey for 2021. Though I suppose it’s not really an ending; how could I possibly think I know all there is to know about JOY?!?!
I enjoyed your wardrobe approach. It started me thinking about “trying on” the words that God is speaking to me and looking at myself dressed in that from all angles. Great idea I will be trying out.
Thank you Jodee for stopping by and taking the time to read my post! I had fun with the wardrobe approach, I kind of think of it as you mentioned, “trying on” some things. After all Colossians 3 does mention “putting on” compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering…
Donna, hi! Thanks for the needed reminder that joy comes from fixing our eyes on Jesus and not searching for it in never-satisfying places and people.
Linda, thank you for stopping by! I just had a lovely joy moment over at your blog! God has wonderful joy for us if we just keep our hearts fixed upon Him!
Wow! That’s deep, Donna. I’m not surprised by the “knowing Him more intimately,” but I am a little stunned by the “resist the suffering I ordained for you.” Definitely a deeper ponder if I have resisted suffering or embraced Him in the midst of suffering…a God-shift indeed!
Lisa, I’m still meditating on God’s answers. But as I think back over the hardest times of suffering, I think I am beginning to see the joy there. The joy is wrapped up in God, His presence, His care; the intimacy of being held in the midst of it all. So much to sit with here!
Donna, your fill in the blanks, ““I could have more JOY in my life if, I did [this] __________.” “I could have more JOY in my life if I did not do [this] _________.” are good for all of us to ponder. I think most of us need more joy.
Thank you, Debbie, that is so true, we ALL do need more JOY in our lives, especially in the troubling time in which we live!
God is good all the time! He gives us true joy!
Hugh! So pleased you stopped by! Thank you for taking the time to read my post and leave a comment. I hope you’ll take a look around and find even more joy from the Lord!