JOY

7/8/09
JOY! JOY! JOY! Pass it on!
Journal Jottings---Sitting at Methodist Breast Center awaiting my turn, I realize that the opposite of joy is worry. The faces sitting across from me are not exactly radiating joy either. But God……has taught me through my MAC Dance that joy is not dependent upon circumstances. Joy is not to be confused with happiness because the “source” is different. The source of happiness comes from the people, events and happenings in my life. Those happenings = happiness or sadness. Joy, on the other hand, (God’s Hand) is a quality of the Spirit filled life that transcends those “happenings.” Philip Keller says, “Joy is a divine dimension of living.”
Jesus first.
Others second.
Yourself last!
How true that acronym is for me---the greatest joy comes when I am focusing on the Lord and others, not my condition or my circumstances. Want to “feel” better? Do something for someone else---something that will bring him/her enjoyment. Feelings indeed follow actions. Don’t wait to feel like it before you take action.

Written by Two Listeners in the 1930s, God Calling’s June 30th entry had this to say about joy---fruit facet #2.

• Take joy wherever you go. You have been much blessed. You are being much blessed………..Pass every blessing on.

• Love can and does go round the world, passed on the God-currents from one to the other. (A lot like what I learned yesterday---His love in us given to others.)

• Be transmitters these days. (Am I transmitting joy and blessing to others?)

As always, Jesus Calling is right on target with my “circumstances.” “I am ….in all; your communion with Me transcends both time and circumstances. Be prepared to be blessed bountifully by My Presence. When your Joy in Me meets My joy in you, there are fireworks of heavenly ecstasy.”
Now that’s JOY!