Journeying with Joy, this tiny companion enriches every corner of my life. I awaken each day wondering which precious lesson Joy has for me. Thanks to my good friend, Lisa Burgess at Lisa Notes; leading our One Word 2021 group, I spent time viewing Joy through relationships this month.
Challenging us with three relational questions, I delighted in my exploration of Joy in relation to others, Joy in relation to God and Joy in relation to myself.
Many of you remember I began my One Word 2021 journey in January with the word “JOY”. promising regular updates on my progress of learning all God had for me about this tiny word. Today I share my tenth installment on my incredible journey. If you missed any of the previous updates you can read them all HERE, on my special One Word 2021 page on my blog.
one word, many dimensions
Choosing a one word focus for a full year at first seems excessive; but truly interfusing the full meaning into your life in a fully personal way requires time. My approach to my one word choice at first impersonal, slowly transfigured into a more intimate pursuit of inclusion.
Joy not only embodied my emotional and spiritual identity, it expanded outward transforming and defining my world.
Holding my word, its multi-dimensional beauty glistened through each crevice of my life, dancing on the beams of light piercing my understanding. Viewing joy through relationships assisted me in more fully comprehending the presence of my tiny companion in areas of my life previously unnoticed.
viewing joy through my relationship with others
Joy revealed a unique relationship with others. Yes, others bring, offer and share joy with me; and I likewise have opportunity for reciprocation. But even more fascinating, I attained incredible insight to Joy by observing its presence in the lives of others.
Glimpsing snippets of the divine nature in diverse expressions of Joy in the lives of others, alerted me to the manifold ways the Creator reveals His Joy in and through others. From the raucous laughter of a dear colleague and the sheer delight of my granddaughter’s uninhibited dance to the quiet confidence of a grieving patient; His Joy transcends time and space.
joy given=joy gained
As with so many things in God’s upside Kingdom, the more Joy I gave away, the more Joy I received. Viewing Joy through relationships with others reminded me the greatest Joy meets me leaving my hand.
Rather than expecting Joy at the hand of others, when I choose investing my Joy in them, the return is a hundred-fold more than I invested. Joy simply cannot be held; it begs bestowal upon others.
viewing Joy through my relationship with god
Given my one word boasts membership as one facet of the Fruit of the Spirit, my view of Joy through relationships must include contemplation of its fellowship with God. Learning early in my journey, fullness of Joy abides in God’s Presence, I also grasped Joy as a gift of sanctification.
Realizing God’s Presence remains with me always (Joshua 1:5-9)gives me access to fullness of Joy in His Presence at all times, and knowing the journey of sanctification leads to glorification, when my joy will be perfected in that moment my eyes meet His and I hear the words, “Enter into the Joy of your Lord.”
but wait! god is joy
We hear and know “God is Love”; but God is also JOY! All true joy flows from God Himself. C. S. Lewis found in his own search for Joy, God was the satisfaction of his driving desire for Joy. Our God is a joyful God; He rejoiced over His creation, His plans for us are good and He rejoices over us with JOY!
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
God desires His children experience Joy, and for that express purpose sent His Son as our redemption. Christ shared the Father’s wish in John 15:11, imparting His desire that God’s Joy be our Joy, the complete fulfillment of Joy for us. Joy never comes from us, it springs from the God of Joy.
viewing joy through my relationship with myself
Finally, viewing Joy through relationships bade me consider my tiny companion’s interaction with my own heart. Truly the most difficult relationship with Joy is my own. Try though I might, explanation evades me for the restless uncertain feeling I have in relation to my word.
Perhaps my ambiguity rests in the pressure of progress; gaining knowledge and mastery of my word. Or possibly my pursuit of Joy as a possession gained or an attribute to refine places weighty distance between me and my tiny companion.
joy: privilege not possession
Like the delicate butterfly, grasping Joy tightly disfigures its exquisite beauty. The gift of divine Presence within, Joy offers me an ethereal experience no worldly acquisition provides. A privilege reserved for those intimately known by the Creator.
Joy’s interaction with my heart reminds me God’s Joy pursues me, shrouds me in His love and reflects His glory to others. A privilege not earned, apprehended nor possessed, but rather embodied.
viewing joy through relationships
Spending time viewing Joy through relationships enriched my Joy journey with valuable reminders of lessons learned, revelations of treasures formerly hidden and musings of discoveries yet future. Marvelling at the depths of priceless encounters each relationship embodies, surfaces a thirst long unquenched.
A thirst to drink deeply, even unto the dregs of all this tiny word holds. Savoring, luxuriating in its beauty, lingering with its wisdom and communing with its magnificent Source. Transformed by the power that no darkness, suffering, or evil can defeat, until every corner of my soul speaks “JOY”.
I💕 what the Lord has done to expand your JOY!!
Thank you, Barb! He truly has blessed my Joy Journey!!!
Donna, this was so interesting. You got me thinking about joy from relationships and God. But hadn’t really thought of joy with relationship with myself. So many good thoughts and observations here. It made me think of all recent joy in these areas within my own life. Wanting to read about next month’s observations.
Theresa, thank you for taking the time to read my post! I have to admit when I worked through the relationship questions, joy in relationship to myself was the toughest! I praise God you found a blessing here!
Donna, I relish in this entire post. But your fresh insight in viewing joy in my relationship with myself and that it’s a gift of sanctification really hit home with me!
Karen, thank you so much for your kind comment! Learning and accepting joy as a gift of sanctification really hit home with me too! God is so amazingly good to us!
I agree, Donna, “Choosing a one word focus for a full year at first seems excessive; but truly interfusing the full meaning into your life in a fully personal way requires time.” I’m so thankful the Lord is intimately leading us with our words. And I’m thankful that we are able to glean from each other’s journey. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed gleaning from your journey of joy.
Lisa, I’m so glad we are sharing this one word journey, we all learn so much from one another! This truly is the best year yet for me and choosing one word!
Donna, I so appreciated what you share here about viewing joy through your relationship with others. It truly does bring joy when we notice the presence of joy in the lives of people around us. And it also brings us joy when we invest into those around us and bring them joy. Joy has a way of spreading around, which makes it most precious. Your journey has blessed and taught me many lessons!
Joanne, thank you for taking the time to read my post! I think that was my favorite lesson this month. I am blessed to think everything I’m learning spills over to help you be blessed too!
I totally understand what you’re saying: “Perhaps my ambiguity rests in the pressure of progress; gaining knowledge and mastery of my word. Or possibly my pursuit of Joy as a possession gained or an attribute to refine places weighty distance between me and my tiny companion.” But you seem to be finding that right balance between receiving joy without clinging tightly to your right to have it.
You’ve definitely increased my joy this year, Donna! I appreciate you so much, friend.
Lisa, thank you for your comment, somtims I think I am not keeping a good balance, but continuing to interact with my word in different ways has truly helped me. I praise God my joy journey touches your life too!
God is Joy! I am digesting that God is love and JOY! I hadn’t seen this together before, and appreciate your insight. When intentionally focused on a word for a year so many personal are insights revealed, aren’t they?
Lynn, God IS Joy and isn’t that just delightful! Both love and joy entwine themselves as wonderful attributes of our loving Father. I continue to be in awe over all I am learning in my one year journey with JOY! I don’t think I would have learned near as much without spending this full year with one word.