Ultimate Joy

I have a passion for writing, but there is at least one thing about it that is difficult. It is a solitary activity and I love being around people.  There is something about having a companion that makes what you enjoy just that much more enjoyable.  That’s one reason why I love my critique group.  They take a very lonely experience and turn into moments that I can share.

What do you enjoy? How about a day at the beach or a hike in the mountains? Do you want to multiply your joy? Spend that day with someone you love.

When I was a young girl, my family spent a summer in Scottsdale.  I remember enjoying so many things about Scottsdale – the pool, the cactus, the horsebackriding.  But, I also enjoyed being with my dad.  He worked odd hours at his job, so anytime we kids got to spend with him; well we drunk in his presence.  It was my deep enjoyment of being with him that make the memories of Scottsdale so enjoyable to me.

Isn’t life the same way?  Don’t we always want to drink in the presence of our Father?

Enjoying life with a close friend brings great enjoyment; having Jesus walk beside you brings a fullness of joy.  Having a cooling wind across your face on a warm summer’s night brings enjoyment; having the refreshing wind of the Holy Spirit move upon your heart beings a fullness of joy.  Walking though a beautiful flower garden brings enjoyment; walking through the flower garden with the creator of those flowers brings a fullness of joy.

God says to us, “I want you to enjoy what I give you, your friends, the warm summer wind, the flowers in the garden. But these are things from Me.  They are not Me.  Even more than enjoying what I give you, I want you to have Me.  It is with Me, in Me and from Me along that you will know the fullness of joy I want to have.”

James 4:8 states, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” That’s what I wish for you, all my friends, this week…to know that the amazing presence of God is always there for you.

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV