Joy Has Never

I catch myself doodling the word "joy" anywhere I can drag a pen through.

This three-letter word is filled with promise of a heart that is light. It talks about a deep gutted laughter and possibly some dark chocolate. As I doodle this word, I stare at the curvy letters and wonder how long it will take to get it back.

I've learned that no person is exempt from tragedy. It does not discriminate. It is heavy, dark, and disturbingly loud. It's effects never truly leave... so back to my question. When?

When will we get our joy back? At what point in time will the sadness stop choking me?

These are the questions I've been asking myself. I've found the answer.

Our joy has never left. Yes, it's not gone. It's still there. It hasn't left. You see joy is completely independent from our circumstances.

This Bible verse kicks me in the shin.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4 NIV

It is impossible to consider this "pure joy". It just is...

But God does the impossible.

What this tells me is that this time is producing perseverance. It is maturing me, completing me (ummm...even if I feel like someone dug holes out of my chest???), that there will be no lacking in me.

Yes, because there is a time for everything. Just like tragedy doesn't discriminate, neither does Joy. Joy is light, bright, and its effects never truly leave!!! It comes to everyone in their time.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

“…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…”

Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV

Although right now may be your time of building perseverance, maturing, and becoming complete through trials, know that your Joy is not gone. So right now is my time to mourn, but there will be a time of dance again. Your time will come. Our time will come.

I'll leave you with what Jesus told his disciples,

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

John 16:22 NIV

No one and nothing will take away that Joy.

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