Originally published Tuesday, 14 May 2013.
As summer is fast approaching, I think back on the good old days of childhood where I would run shoe-less and bathing suit clad carefree for several months during the super hot Texas summer.
My mom would keep us pretty busy with fun summer camps like gymnasticas camp, sewing camp, dance camp. She would always make sure we went to vacation Bible school where we would come home everyday filled with the traditional kid's gospel songs that stick in your head until you are well..thirty-four years old.
I still remember the VBS song that goes...
I've got that joy joy joy joy down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart.
I've got that joy joy joy joy down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart to stay.
And I'm so happy. So very happy...
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart...
You get the picture. Maybe you even sang this song as a kid. Sorry if you now have this song playing over and over in your head for the rest of the day. There could be worse songs to be annoyed with!
This whimsical song reminds me of the joy that each of us carries deep down in our heart when we accept Jesus as our King and Savior. The gift of joy is actually a promise straight from God. Check out Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit if you don't believe me! It is when we allow life's drama to steal away or cloak that joy in our heart where we loose delight in God's goodness.
Sometimes it is easier to wallow in stress or allow ourselves to camp out in the dark places of our heart and mind –– keeping us from the light and abundance of life and joy that God desires for us.
It is a daily choice to live in JOY.
God has already gifted us with joy, it is our decision to allow God's Spirit to shed light on the dark corners of our life and draw us out when we feel hopeless.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.{Romans 15:13 ESV}
This verse is filled with such life giving Truth...
God will FILL us with joy and peace when we believe.
We have the POWER of the Holy Spirit. Nothing can steal away our joy if we don't allow it.
We will not only have a small measure of joy and peace and hope but it will ABOUND in our heart thanks to Jesus.
Today, will you choose to accept God's gift of joy? Will you choose to believe that God is good and not allow stress or worry or despair or drama steal your God-given joy?
Make your decision. Will you choose Joy?
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