I think joy is one of the fastest pathways into sublime fellowship with God.
What I mean is, the moment I feel a flutter of joy or swell of happiness in my soul—especially when it comes ‘out of nowhere’—I immediately gasp, “It’s YOU!”, drop whatever I’m doing, and seize that very moment to give him my attention and affection.
As the Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound! They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance.” (Psalm 89:15). The joyful sound he’s referring to is the call to worship resounding throughout Israel during their seasonal feasts. “Blessed are the ones,” he says, “Who recognize their joy leads to the Source, where they can worship him intimately!”
I relish that joy as a sweet fellowship with Jesus, a manifestation of his presence, which ignites an upward spiral of bliss and worship. It’s like I’m ‘riding’ that thread of joy upwards and deeper into God himself. My joy joins with his, and his with mine, and, well… there are no words.
Friends, I’ve experienced more peace and joy in the past month than the past five years.
Because you see, he’s the Source. He’s the wellspring. He’s the point. He delights in our delight, and as we grow to love him, we delight in his.
I’m reminded of what the late Dallas Willard wrote in his seminal work, The Divine Conspiracy:
“We should, to begin with, think that God leads a very interesting life, and that he is full of joy. Undoubtedly he is the most joyous being in the universe. The abundance of his love and generosity is inseparable from his infinite joy. All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experiences in all their breadth and depth and richness.”
He goes on to say, “Gradually there crept into my mind the realization that God sees this all the time… Great tidal waves of joy must constantly wash through his being. It is perhaps strange to say, but suddenly I was extremely happy for God…”
That’s it exactly. Beautiful!
As Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).
Oh God, give us eyes to see your glory, ears to hear your voice, and hearts to love and trust you more!
Praise you, Jesus. Amen, amen.