jay-oh-why.

i've got joy and it's down in my heart

deep, deep down in my heart

j-o-y and it's down in my heart

deep, deep down in my heart

a catchy childhood tune from sunday school. who would have thought that a simple sunday school song held deep truths like this. songs like these sure build good foundations for life. how does one be joyful though? i find it so, so hard. when you're just down and demoralised, when everything seems to be going along a bumpy road full of rocks and portholes and there's no end in sight in this long winding road, no way out till you reach your destination. and then i came across this excerpt.

Joy

(excerpt from Time of Grace Ministry)

We all like being happy. The problem with happy is that it’s circumstantial. Happiness winks on and off like a firefly’s backside. Hitting green lights all the way to work makes us happy. Getting rear-ended in the parking lot makes us unhappy. A compliment from a coworker makes us happy. Being criticized makes us unhappy. Happiness hangs out at ball games and family reunions. But it’s an infrequent guest at funerals and in ER waiting rooms. 

Joy is different. Joy isn’t a feeling. It’s more of a knowing.

Jesus’ joy was knowing he was about to make peace between sinful humanity and our holy God. Did he feel happy when he anticipated the agony of the cross, abandonment by his Father, the weight of our sins, and death? No--he was overwhelmed with sorrow! But even in sorrow he knew the joy of doing his Father’s will: presenting the world with the forgiveness we could never earn. 

And so a Christian’s joy is closely linked to Jesus’ joy. His joy was in giving that gift. Ours is in receiving it. We know--however dark our circumstance, however we feel--we have God’s favor and a heavenly home. From that knowledge grows a joy that makes our hearts stand tall even when pummeled by earthly sorrow. A joy that smiles in every circumstance.

Even at red lights.

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what i loved about this read was the depth of truth in such simplicity of words. happiness is indeed circumstantial and it is very hard to find happiness when you hit sucky times. but joy is different, joy is when your heart sings, when your feet skip along the path, when your soul is light despite being physically weary. so yes, it is very possible to find joy even at ref lights, a chance to pause and admire your surroundings.

it's hard to remember to be joyful though, it involves counting one's blessings even when you want to wallow in sorrow. it's somehow really hard to learn that being happy feels a lot better, and many a time i find myself recounting miseries. it's almost as if you forget what the freshness of real food tastes like, as you continuously indulge in quick, instant, pre-packed food. you're fooled by the notion that's it's easier, and think that it'll make you feel better. but in truth, with just a bit more effort, your tongue will thank you for the sweetness of fresh produce and your body thank you for true nourishment. 

be thankful. be joyful. i often remind myself. don't get sucked into the worldly standards of happiness. happiness is temporal. joy lasts.

a joy that smiles in every circumstance indeed.