Battles And Front Lines Devotional By Rita SpringerSample

Cornering Joy

The best vacation I ever took was to Martha’s Vineyard with my sister-in-law. I remember it because I felt real joy! When you feel true joy, you don’t forget it. Joy brings a sense of abandon, and when it surrounds you, you don’t care about tomorrow. You just want to experience all you can in the hours that you are in the zone. Joy didn’t come because we had a plan for that trip. We actually had no plans! We rented a car and took the Woods Hole Ferry across the sound. Not knowing what to expect, we checked into our bed and breakfast, rented some bikes, and peddled all over the island for two days. We were spontaneous and expectant of adventure. It was such a special weekend because of that simple joy.

Since then, I have realized that I try to corner joy. I plan my attack, sneak up, and try to wrestle it to the floor. I’m certain it will be found in all my debts being paid and my child never talking back. I just know it will be waiting for me when I take my son on that Disney vacation where I can spend a fortune without worrying about affording groceries upon our return! I have missed the big signs along the way to joy. I have forgotten to live in the here and now. What if joy is found when we are simply resting in the moment? 1 Peter talks about an inexpressible joy that comes from just believing in God.

Believing brings a sense of expectancy. You may believe something even if you cannot see it, but you know it is real. We don’t see God, but we experience great joy through our faith in Him. God is like that trip to Martha’s Vineyard. He’s the ferry ride over and the amazing place that you always heard about. When the ferry lands, you check in and then go wherever the wind takes you, wanting to experience every wonderful thing along the way. We can’t corner joy, but our trust in God places us on the ferry, ready for the adventure and freedom that joy brings. Who doesn’t want more joy? If you are asking God for it, think about a time when you have felt true joy. Find the roots of that joy and then ask God fill in the rest!

Enjoy a playlist of Rita Springer’s songs from the new album “Battles” on The Overflow Christian music service, please visit http://oflow.it/00ne/xgRnRNmzzB