Finding Joy from God's Goodness in a Regular Day

Joy.

    We live in a time that people find joyless. Folks are turning to all manner of things and people to find joy, that don't always deliver.

    Yet as Christ followers we are to live in God's joys, even simple ones, He has given us. Our salvation is a great joy to reflection on foremost (Philippians 1-4). But also, we find hints of other common joys, we're to live out. Small joys too are a worthwhile pursuit enjoying what is declared good. Joy. In Ecclesiastes 8, we find a call to have joy. The word joy there means to make glad. And in that, realize simple joys don't simply come upon you always, or passively come upon you. Seize joy. Choose by God's Word (Ecclesiastes 8) to delight in life, using a cheerfulness even, over ways God has given you and those near you, very good things, gifts, relationships, and worship moments. Enjoy the fellowship of the Lord in prayer. Access and savor joy God has given in things you like to think on. Each of us has our own strengths, by God's grace. For all of us, virtues or principles or language can give joys, such as good clean humor, or choosing what is moral by God's goodness, where we delight we could. That God cared to share, so we can partake joy in applying. For unique gifts, some have a hobby they love, or some mathematics, or many good, virtuous music. For some quality artwork and so on are a way to find some simple joys. 

    Utilize those friend, as God's gift, so put that music on, go see that sporting event, enjoy the creative art a neighbor carved from wood that looks half decent, praiseworthy. And also, choose to enjoy relationships on what can be appreciated. 

    One famed Christian author, on practicing joy, said this to us: ‘Joy, not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. We need to be light-hearted in what we do to avoid taking ourselves too seriously. It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride.’ Said another well-known Christian teacher, “Joy and laughter are the gifts of living in the presence of God and trusting that tomorrow is not worth worrying about.” The presence of God today celebrate Jesus our Savior, and celebrates the many gifts and giftings and insights we can be thankful for (that coming with elements of joy).

    Solomon even hints at something that others have picked up on, to enjoy simple things like eat and drink to God's glory (Ecclesiastes 8). This gives credence so as to enjoy the basics of a good, hot meal. It is to enjoy a glass of cold water (Matthew 10). It is to drink OJ for the glory of God as one contemporary Christian author put it. What Ecclesiastes 8 isn't saying, it is not Dionysian or Bacchus Greek, Roman philosophy. Most of us learned about those in grade school, and then again, of people who lived those as a philosophy for a life season. 

    What it is: no this is rather a thought seeing the big picture even of Genesis chapter 1, God’s will at large. First chapter of our Bibles: there, our good Lord in care, love gives Adam and Eve a task to subdue the earth and maintain it. But with that... a call (before any sin) so to eat from what the earth produces. So basically, it is not just, merely energy for your cells, of course it is. But it is part of what God wants you to enjoy. There’s joy in it, and in the celebration of good things from the Lord.

    Today the Lord calls you to celebrate His great love for you (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). The Lord would also have you to not forget the simple joys he gives each day, week, month, to be apprehended. 

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