I read the above statement on a note card at the Christmas in Cowtown event a few weeks back. It has lingered on my mind because I seem to think that I have to wait for joy.
Until the house is clean.
Until the errands are run.
Until the work is done.
Until the Longhorns return to #1 in the BCS rankings.
Until the semester is over.
Until the New Year.
Until I'm married.
Until the next presidential election.
Until I have a family.
Until . . . .
It's not as if I don't have things in my life to be joyful about. I have many. But I often find myself in numb mode, living life by simply going through the motions. Trying to achieve a certain accomplishment or status to get my joy.
But this little statement--Don't postpone joy--along with Paul's words to
"[b]e joyful always" (1 Thes. 5:16) are great reminders that we can choose to live joyfully every day instead of postponing joy as a future reward that must be earned.
What will you choose to be joyful about today?
5 comments:
Oh, wow...thanks, Alyssa. I am realizing I tend to postpone joy, too...I'll sit down and enjoy time with my kids after the house is clean, after I cook supper, when I'm not so tired. I'm missing out on lots of "joy" God wants me to share with me...
Alyssa, this is a beautiful post. And so true! How much time do we waste, trying to get to the joyful place, instead of just being joyful right now? Thanks so much for this reminder.
Um, until the Longhorns are #1?
I won't tell Jason you said that.
Kacey & Renae - Glad to know I'm not alone in postponing joy.
Clarissa - You're husband is loyal to the Baylor Bears to a fault. But you might wait until after I've helped you with your nursery on Sat. before you tell him, or he probably won't let me in the door of your house!
I ditto Renae. I needed to read this. "Joy" seems difficult to express in the midst of my task oriented day.
Post a Comment