My Joy journey connected me with others in both unexpected and unusual ways this past month. Despite sharing my One Word with family and a few close friends, posting on social media, and writing regularly here on the blog; branching out in conversation about Joy was rare. Without much effort on my part, I stumbled upon the power of joy filled conversations!
Posting my Joy discoveries on Instagram yields a few stray comments, but no real dialog. Occasional chats with colleagues, patients or patient family members provides additional commentary, mostly in the form of “opinion”.
The Lord, however opened the door for robust discussion on my One Word companion through the request for an interview with the express purpose of discussing my views on biblical Joy. Grateful for the opportunity of sharing a small part of my Joy journey, I received the unexpected blessing of beholding the power of joy filled conversations.
the multiplication power of joy
Preparing for the interview offered me the privilege of revisiting important stops along my Joy journey further aiding me in grasping all God taught me thus far. Engaging in discussion and answering provocative questions resulted in new Joy discoveries for both me and the interviewer.
I completely underestimated the benefit of exploring my One Word in the context of an interview.
Reinforcing lessons learned, embracing new Joy discoveries and wrestling with hard questions all combined in multiplying the Joy harbored within my heart. The more joy expounded in conversation, the more joy overflowed my heart. The Joy present at the beginning of the interview appeared meager in comparison to the Joy present at the conclusion.
Joy Filled Conversations inspire connection
The interview served as the impetus for pursuing other open discussions, further enlightening me on the power of joy filled conversations. Prior to engaging in exploratory discussion on my word friend, my communications consisted of one-sided declarations or expressed ideas.
While sharing elements of my Joy journey along with lessons learned enhanced my spiritual growth regarding joy, the one-sided nature of these expressions hindered the benefits of relational discourse in unleashing Joy’s full work.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Open to the possibility of engaging others over my tiny word companion; surprisingly, the topic of Joy popped up in unusual ways. Discussions at work related to the health benefits of Joy, and an encounter with a stranger coming out of a cornfield while on a walk one day treated me to comments on the “joyful nature” of that particular day.
But my favorite involved an impromptu conversation with a young man unloading clothes for donation at a local community center.
Commenting on what he termed “my wild joy smile”, he knowingly smiled back and shared his recent release from prison and his overwhelming joy at the privilege of his job sorting clothes for the less fortunate.
JOy Inspires Hope
The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy: the settled assurance that God controls every minute detail of my life, working everything together for my good and His glory. Which ultimately manifests in a quiet confidence in God’s sovereignty lived out in every circumstance.
A life which displays Joy breeds hope. For true, steadfast, God given joy walks into the fire with confident, hope-filled trust in God, marked by words of praise and adoration for God, without knowing the outcome.
That kind of joy proclaims God’s excellent and glorious name, permeating the hearts of all who see and hear with the same hope-filled joy.
joy fullness overflows to others
The natural process of joy maturing within me, gives birth to a greater desire for loving others. Since joy is intrinsic to God’s triune nature, that means we have God’s joy dwelling within us a believers. His joy is our joy, because when we find God, we find the source and embodiment of all joy.
As I grow in my relationship and knowledge of Christ, I experience the fullness of Joy promised to those who abide in His Presence. (Psalm 16:11) As my joy enlarges, it overflows in service of love to others. His joy fullness pours forth through me enriching both me and those around me with a most wonderful, joyful love.
the power of joy filled conversations
Stepping into the vulnerability of relational conversation on the topic of my tiny One Word friend Joy, privileged me with a view of Joy’s beauties through the eyes of others. On one hand the enjoyment of a solitary journey with my word companion offers me intimate knowledge as the Holy Spirit tends its growth in my life. On the other hand, inviting others into my joy journey enriches both my joy and theirs.
Cherishing the power of joy filled conversations, multiplied my joy; forging deeper connections with others, inspiring hope and overflowing in loving service. All flowing in one eternal circle from the Source of all Joy through me to others and back again: a full circle of JOY.
What a blessing to read your adventures with sharing joy, Donna. I’m so glad you got to speak about your word in an interview and that the preparation for that showed you how much Joy has influenced you this year. I also love how the young man you met at the donation center referred to your “wild joy smile”—you can’t have one of those unless the joy is coming from deep inside! Hugs, friend.
Thank you, Lois, this has been a wild ride for me with JOY this year! I’m sad to be nearing the end of the year, I’m not sure I’m ready to change partners!
What an awesome gift God gave you! I love this: “For true, steadfast, God given joy walks into the fire with confident, hope-filled trust in God, marked by words of praise and adoration for God, without knowing the outcome.” – I want read more about this – I’ve been on a quest for a few years now with the question: “How do you live joy when those God gave you don’t – when they struggle with good decisions, when they go through hard times, when maybe they’re not saved, when they’re Eeyores – when they’re jealous of your joy, think it’s irresponsible, uncaring? I want to have coffee and interview you over this question – LOL. I want to live joy full without joy guilt
Thank you, Maryleigh for your kind words! I feel like my year of walking with JOY has likewise been a quest of living joy when those God gave me don’t. It has been an uphill battle on many days, but God is slowly teaching me my joy does not depend on anyone else but Him, and I can experience fullness of joy in His presence even if others around me continue to make poor choices, live like Eeyore or are just plain sour pusses. Let’s encourage one another!!
You mentioned revisiting important stops along your joy journey Donna.
The Lord keeps reminding me of significant Joy stops in my own journey too. Although at the time they were disguised in great pain & loss.
The joy comes in each new morning with Him as we look through the disguise of the situation & see His wonderful face & Grace ☺️
Great post!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Jennifer what lovely thoughts here.Sometimes we neglect revisiting the hard paths, but unless we do, we will not see the hidden joy God had for us there all along. What a blessing your words are to me this morning! Thank you for your kind friendship and wise words!
An abundance of joy! That is what God wants for us. I’m glad He’s led you to joyfully living as His precious daughter!
Lynn, YES, my journey with my tiny word has led me into abundant JOY, which God desires for me. It took me so long to embrace that truth!
I’ve been pondering this, Donna, “My communications consisted of one-sided declarations or expressed ideas.” And I appreciate you sharing your solution, “I stumbled upon the power of joy filled conversations!”
I pray the Lord will open up doors for all of us on our ‘one word’ journey to experience this, “Forging deeper connections with others, inspiring hope and overflowing in loving service.” May He continue to bless and strengthen us in this life journey of transforming us into His image. Thanks for sharing this encouraging interview process, Donna.
Lisa, such good thoughts here, I think I am finally seeing how my one word isn’t just for “me”, but I experience it more fully in relationship: with God and others. I pray we will continue to grow on our journeys and become so much more like Him!
Donna, I truly understand about the full circle that JOY conversations bring to the picture. I have a few friends with whom I enjoy such a relationship with…both in our church and also outside of it. Those are the relationships that bring JOY even in the hard times. I have truly enjoyed reading here.
Dianna, my dear, sweet sister, thank you for your kind comment. I’m so pleased to hear of the JOY you experience in conversations too! I know God made us for community and the way our joy is increased as we interact illustrates that!
You mentioned revisiting important stops. The Lord keeps bringing me back to the importance of remembering–and you fleshed this out even further. Thanks for that. I so appreciate the way we help one another on and spur one another on along our life’s path. Considering joy and its source is so vital. Thanks for that reminder.
Natalie, so lovely of you to stop by! I believe the Lord wants us to remember; it is actually a part of our spiritual growth! I enjoy walking this path with others and agree, we spur one another on to good works through walking together!
Such a beautiful expression of joy! I felt more joy just reading this. 🙂 Will this interview be anything we will be able to read or listen to one day? It sounds like it was such a good one.
Lisa, so pleased you enjoyed my post on joy conversations-I had a fabulous month with this, thanks to you and your suggestion to pursue talking to others about our one word! I’m not sure my interview will be one I can share unfortunately, it was filmed for a particular bible study & will be used a part of the lesson on Joy! Alas I will have to hope for a more public interview sometime!
I love your impromptu conversation with the gentleman. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure you added Joy to his life that day as he did yours and that is the power of conversation and connecting in the way God calls us to. Blessings to you Donna as you continue this Joy-filled journey. I’m excited to see where else it leads.
Yvonne, dear sister, thank you for stopping by! My favorite encounter was the impromtu conversation as well. He certainly added joy to my day, and I believe you are right, he was thrilled to share his story and loved my “wild joy smile”!
Donna, it is so amazing when God gives an unexpected opportunity with a stranger. “A life which displays Joy breeds hope.” May we display joy in our everyday life and breed hope in those around us, for so many are struggling.
Thank you, Joanne, I am truly amazed at the ways God meets me daily, especially regarding my one word, Joy! I do pray with you that we display joy in our everyday life and breed hope for these dark times!
May we be continually in awe of those “joy discoveries!”
YES! I pray I will never lose my awe encountering the beauties of Joy!
Donna, what a delightful journey your joy word has taken you on. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you, Debbie, it has truly been an adventure I did not anticipate!