Joy
I have started reading and studying from "AWoman's Walk with God" by Elizabeth Geoge again this summer. I studied in great depth last summer and it came in very handy. This time I am still looking up all the scripture that goes along with the study guide, but not taking the time to journal every single question. I have felt the need to remind myself of the major lessons I learned last summer and put myself back on track.
With the wedding coming up there has been one thing that saddens my heart. Last summer I lost my first friend. And one of my best friends. Anytime I would be visiting someone in Beaumont or just driving through I would call up Aaron and he would drop whatever he was doing and make time for me, or bring me along and include me in whatever he was doing. Aaron fell asleep at the wheel while driving home late at night and didn't make it through. I was studying and learning about Joy at the moment of this event which truly helped me. So why does the wedding remind me of this? Aaron was my only friend I had made plans to be apart of my wedding. I hadn't planned any part of my wedding before hand except that I knew Aaron would play a role in it some how. He could've been my maid of honor if that wouldn't have been to weird. :) I am very grateful though that Tim and Aaron were able to meet 2 years ago at New Years. God blessed me with that being able to happen.
Elizabeth George talks about Joy in a way that really makes me think and be grateful for all God has done and is doing for me and in me.
"I hope you understand now why we must acknowledge that true spiritual joy is not happiness. 'Happiness' is a state of good fortune and prosperity related to and dependent on our circumstances. If all is going well, we are happy; but as soon as some dark cloud or irritation enters our life, our happiness vanishes. Happiness can be a false joy and, since easy circumstances are not life's norm (John 16:33), happiness is elusive. In fact, the apostle Paul preached the truth that 'all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted' (2 Timothy 3:12). God's joy is a gift of grace to us as we encounter the hardship and tribulation and persecution of life in this world, and this supernatural joy, given through God's Spirit, transcends all conditions of life."
My hope and prayer is that whoever reads this can grasp the realness of God's joy for us. To not rely on good fortune, but to seek pure joy. Joy from knowing God's love for his children.
Although I am sad that Aaron will not be at my wedding, I have joy knowing that he is in a much better place. And I have joy that Tim and Aaron had the chance to meet, even though for a short moment, they met.
With how much it takes to pull a wedding together and the stress of decisions being made and not feeling like working on it anymore...I have joy with knowing God's hand is in mine and Tims marriage. God has so graciously pulled everything together making everything work with God's perfect timing in everything. God has also blessed Tim and I tremendously with the body of believers we have surrounding us with their support, love and prayers.
I definitely have a lot to be joyful about.
I learned last year that it is possible to be joyful and sad at the same time.
What do you have to be joyful about? Hang on to that joy and don't forget it.
Posted in: on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at at 9:06 PM
Posts
Another book to pick up (now that your getting married) is"A Women After God's Own Heart", by Elizabeth George. I love all her books, God has blessed her with the gift of journaling and Bible study to talk straight to my heart and encourage my daily walk with the Lord. I encourage you to check it out. YOur in our thoughts and prayers. I'm so very sorry for the passing of your close friend.As you think about the "joy" in your life always remember to put Joy in it by thinking this way, by placeing it in this order J(Jesus) O(others)Y(yourself).
Keep On Keeping On,
Kym