My God, My Joy

Job 8:21 (NIV)

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

It's been a day for small calamities.  A little calamity is not a bad thing, it's to be expected. A string of calamities, however, can lead to the sort of stress that challenges my spirit and threatens my testimony.   Then I get to make a choice: run with the circumstances or stand my ground, confident that my God has a plan for my life.  

I knew a woman, well into old age, who was never without a reason to praise her Lord.  She had never retired from the Lord's service either.   She raised her children, buried a husband, and retired from school teaching and then became a missionary in Ghana.  Jesus was her joy and laughter, her reason for being.  She came to mind today.  I haven't seen her in years and I don't even know what side of Eternity she's residing in today; but her testimony still speaks, reminding me lay down my life for the One who will raise me up in joy.    

I like this song by Christa Wells, "Everything Moves But You."

The lyrics:

When I was a child, I held to my mother tightly

Then I grew taller and left to follow my dreams
I went after my dreams, and some of them brought me delight
But they didn’t bring me everything I hoped they might

I fell into love like a skydiver in the clouds
It wasn’t enough, no, we couldn’t sustain it ourselves

All the things I pursue
Well, they stay for a season,
Then everything moves,
Everything moves, oh
My towers fall,
But you aren’t leaving me
‘Cause everything moves but you

I trained my body to run and not be weary
I worked and I read how to raise a better family
Then I bought a good house on the safe side of town, because I could
And as long as my life stays like this, I’m feeling good

Until my bones become brittle against my will
My heart is home, oh, to make the earth stand still

All the things I pursue
Well, they stay for a season,
Then everything moves,
Everything moves, oh,
My towers fall,
But you aren’t leaving me
‘Cause everything moves but you

You…I never outgrow you

You are a tree always in bloom
You are a hall of endless rooms
A living fountain springing up
I’m satisfied but never done
I’m never done
With you

Chorus