We had 23 ladies at Jalepenos for ladies night out! I had a great time! In fact, our group was so loud that I began to wonder if part of the group had come early and downed a couple of margaritas before I got there!
Continuing on the joy theme… When I did my tag-team-preaching debut in December with Ed my topic was “the joy of the shepherds.” I remember in my preperation thinking about how often what we find in life is influenced by what are looking for. (I probably mentioned it in the lesson, but I’m not positive. Not remembering a good deal of what I say is one of the reasons I sleep well at night.) But it does seem to be true – we find what we’re looking for. Is that part of why Jesus could say “search, and you will find?” (Matthew 7:7 CEV)
You could also say that we find what we focus on. Focus is a verb, an action word; it’s something we do. It isn’t something that happens naturally with no investment on our part. Often we are willing to put in time and effort to learn a new skill (like driving a car or speaking a foreign language) yet when it comes to focusing on joy we get frustrated if we aren’t instantly successful. I know I am quick to think, “Hey, that didn’t work” if my initial efforts don’t yield a bountiful harvest. (I often feel like the novice farmer who spent the day planting and then comes back at suppertime with a knife and fork and wonders where his crop is.)
The reality is that we reap what we sow, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Joy is a virtue. It’s something we learn and practice and develop. It’s something God wants us to ponder and sink our teeth into so He can bless us with growth and deeper understanding. Paul tells Timothy (2 Tim. 2:7 CEV), “if you keep in mind what I have told you, the Lord will help you understand completely.”
My question for 2009 is this: What would I have to keep in mind for God to develop in me a complete understanding of joy? What would I have to ponder, to focus on and to seek out? And what would you?
Going deeper – If you’re interested, spend a few minutes thinking about your expectations and experiences of joy. Ask God to bless you with a deeper and more satisfying understanding of joy in 2009. And ask yourself about where your thoughts are typically focused. Begin to observe your thoughts through the eyes of a student of joy, not to judge or label them, but to be open to what God is teaching you. This is a life-long journey we’re on, but I’m excited about where this will take us and what we might see along the way!
