J O Y

I heard someone say one time that the difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a direct result of something good happening and joyfulness is a direct result of living with Jesus. This simple statement stuck with me and I think about it all the time. Happiness is fleeting and superficial. It comes and goes based on what is happening around us. Joy is internal and eternal. It is contentment despite the circumstances. It is one of the fruits of the spirit. It is a biproduct of being a child of God.

John 15:11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

The reason that this is a life changing sentiment is because it means that even when you are not happy, you can still experience joy- and that was a life changing thought for me. This means that even when things aren't going your way- when the week started out bad and just keeps getting worse or it feels like your whole life is plummeting downhill- there is still that little bit of Jesus shining out in small moments like a beautiful sunset or the waves crashing against the sand or the birds singing to you or catching all the green lights on your way home. There is still joy in the fact that you have an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe and He loves you so much that He wants you to have joy that isn’t circumstantial and has no strings attached. It doesn't matter where you are in life or what is happening, if you turn your eyes upon Jesus and set your heart upon the kingdom, "He will still fill your mouth with joy, your lips with a victorious shout" Job 8:21.

I have a pretty long list of things I am passionate about. I am the type of person who just cares very deeply about a lot of things. Some being working with children, building a community of Jesus loving friends, coffee with girl friends, sunrises, nature, my farm, my family, my friends, worshipping in a room full of believers. The number one thing I love so deeply is God, and somewhere right below that is a passion to show people from the way I live, just how joyful a life of following Christ is.

God's faithfulness to me alone leaves me breathless and wiping tears out of my eyes. The moments He has brought me to where I am in stadiums full of young adults worshipping Him, or classrooms full of teens crying out His glory. The ways He has intricately planned my life to be so good and so sweet. The moments where He has answered a prayer I wasn't even confident in when I was praying it.

I want you to live a life basked in the joy of Christ that shines through all circumstances. That feels like sitting in a field under an oak tree while the birds sing and the sun sets. That feels like Isaiah 55:12 where it says "and you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Oh I pray that the Lord fills your mouth with rejoicing.

I know what your thinking... like Maroon 5 said, it's not always rainbows and butterflies. I get it and I am not trying to be toxic-positive. I am actually really paranoid about being like that and always check in with my friends to make sure I'm not. I've been there. I've been so depressed that I took baths in the dark until they were cold and was so mentally exhausted that I cried at work. But in the deepest moments of that darkness was a little candle of joy kindled by a gratitude journal and being on speaking terms with the Holy Spirit. That may feel too far away for you, but friend, that is a life that is possible for you to live! Joy isn't just meant for children, holidays, or big life events. When you are a believer, joy is meant for your every day life! Joy is dependent on God. It is deeper than all your other emotions. This life will all pass away, but the joy of the Lord is eternal and God gives us joy in spite of our trials and tribulations.

If you are reading this right now, I pray for the joy of the Lord to fall upon you in unmistakable waves of light. I pray you feel the joy that God gave you in your heart when you decided to follow Him, and I pray you find ways to feel it in your daily life.

As always, I love you SO MUCH, and Jesus loves you even more than that!!! If you have a prayer request, you can head over to my "about me" page, scroll down, and send me a message! You are loved and valued and I pray you live a life flowing over with joy <3