Experiencing Joy

“I rejoice in my sufferings” Colossians 1:24

If love is the respected patriarch of the Christian faith than joy, from my best conclusions, is the crazy Uncle Harry of the family. 

Pastor Steve Davis was counseling Carey and said something that has stuck with me.  Carey was concerned because as a ‘baby Christian’ of sorts he didn’t feel like he had a strong faith. It made him anxious considering the illness he was facing. Pastor Steve said, with both wisdom and compassion,

“Feelings tend to follow action.”

So, Carey started leading the two of us in prayer – it was awkward. And it was awesome. He was honest to a fault, and God’s ears were no exception to his blunt perspectives and candid insights.  He’d even make fun of people sometimes while he was praying.  Not in a mean way.  But like he was hamming it up with a good buddy of his – ragging on ol’ so and so – knowing him and God would both get a laugh from it. Carey read his Bible and verse by verse scribbled down questions and notes that filled the yellow-page notepads he stashed everywhere.  That’s the approach that he took to God.  He was like a trusted friend and a college professor and the divine creator all at once.

Carey’s feelings of faith were a wayward compass so he made the decision to experience faith instead.  And it worked.  His faith grew and it became contagious. I wish he had more years on this earth to live it out and to share it, but I’m so thankful for the legacy he left.

After Carey died our house felt bare and empty.  If you knew him, you can probably imagine why.  He was loud, and he talked non-stop.  He had a uniquely large presence and I loved him for it.  My boys were two and four at the time, and neither could carry on a conversation so it became quiet in our home.  Too quiet.  I decided to buy some Bluetooth speakers and played music throughout each day to break up the depressing silence.  When my boys hear music, they dance.  And on my best days, I danced with them. And sing. And those moments produced joy.  I didn’t feel it, but I experienced it.

For a long time now I’ve thought there must be something wrong with me because I don’t always feel joy if I’m being honest.  But I do experience it.  I experience it with every kitchen dance party, every song cranked up on the car speakers, every sweet cup of coffee with a girlfriend or dinner with my family. Joy makes an appearance every time I toss my kids up in the air or swing them around or pretend not to see them when they are hiding in plain sight. 

These moments produce joy because God is in them.  They are the gifts of His presence… the fruit of His Spirit.

And the feelings do follow. I wouldn’t say they are consistent or reliable, but feelings do follow. Carey eventually felt much stronger in his faith. And the more I experience the purity of joy, the more I start to feel it as well.

So, while Love is the father giving away the bride with a proud smile and tear-stained cheeks, Joy is Uncle Harry busting out his best moves and leading the conga line at the reception hall.  We need both.

The life of a Christ follower is a participation sport.  Exercise diligence.  Walk in the Spirit.  Abide in His truth.  Rejoice because His mercies are new every morning and great is His faithfulness!  Dance if you have legs to move you and sing if you have the breath of the living God flowing through your lungs.

Play and participate and move.

Joy is in there.