Joy!

You give me joy that’s unspeakable
And I like it, and I like it
Your love for me’s irresistible
I can’t fight it, I can’t fight it

(When I first heard that song by the Newsboys, I thought it was so corny. God, You give me unspeakable joy… and I like it? What kind of a response is that? But I know it’s a purposeful understatement, and I actually really like the song now.)

If you’re a Christian, your sins are forgiven. Forgiven! No more guilt, no more darkness, every infinite sin wiped away forever in the blood of Christ. All things made new in Him. Forgiveness alone is enough to give cause for waking with a smile every morning. And we’re also adopted as God’s children, brought into relationship with Him, and promised a never-ending completeness in Him that’s coming closer every day.

As His children, we know Him, and that’s where our joy comes from. And He gives us joy during the ins and outs of daily existence, when we are tempted to worry or complain. Joy is one of the fruits of His Spirit in our lives.

Paul mentions joy often in his letter to the churches:

• “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Philippians 1:4).
• “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (1:25).
• “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

In the book Contentment, Lydia Brownback writes, “The Israelites had manna in abundance – tasty food that simply fell from the sky. Yet their enjoyment of it was completely lost. If we focus our thoughts on looking only at what we hope tomorrow will bring, we will miss all the pleasure of today… Whatever it may be – a good friend, a hug, a freshly baked bagel, sunshine, a place to call home – can bring us joy because it is God’s gift for our enjoyment.”

Today at work, it was naptime (I work at a daycare), and I was tucking the kids in. One little girl was lying on her cot underneath her fuzzy pink blanket, with a huge smile on her face. She was quiet, but so incredibly happy because her blanket was freshly washed and smelled warm and sweet (can something smell warm? It did!). She took so much pleasure in that little gift from her mother. I want to take that kind of childlike pleasure in God’s gifts to me.

So be joyful today – there is everything to be thankful for.