The Pursuit

"It's a good day to count blessings. 
I'm smiling because the sun is shining. The promise of spring peeks its head through the cold. The promise of new life rests on the branches of my magnolia, flower buds just waiting ... there is hope in the bloom; there is JOY in the bloom. 
Such is life. Clinging to hope, pursuing JOY ..."

This is what I wrote on my Facebook Timeline this morning.
I always hope to write encouraging things on my Facebook page ~ encouraging for others, but also for myself. There is something to the act of declaring words into your life. Even when life doesn't stand in agreement. 
Proclaiming JOY, for instance. Stating the fact that I am in pursuit. I am seeking. I am longing. I declare my desire for more and more of it. And seeing it written makes the time when I am without, a time of refocused purpose. A reminding nudge. 

It's funny how things work though. I have discovered something during this past year and a bit ~ the time of my JOY word ~ and it's something that has me a little unsettled, I suppose.
It seems on those days when I proclaim JOY, when I state my desire for it, when I mention the JOY that is to be had, something always comes against it to suck that JOY right out of me. It's amazing, really.
It makes me feel happy inside when I declare it. Something about making that decision to look for JOY in life, heightens my awareness of it, and my need for it. 
And then, WHOOMP. Something goes wrong in my day. I actually feel hypocritical for posting about JOY. The JOY raiding party comes in and takes what wasn't supposed to be taken. And along with that, steals my courage to post again about my JOY word. 

According to John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)

And there it is. This "thief" has a purpose, and it is to steal my JOY word. To discourage me from talking about it, from experiencing it, from acknowledging its great value and necessity. 
But the beautiful thing is this. Jesus counters that joy-stealer with the reminder that He brings life, and fullness of life ~ and that includes JOY! 

So, while it is hard to talk about and declare JOY when things in life don't line up, and when fear tries to convince me that talking about it will only cause joy-sucking events to occur, I will stand with JOY.
I will continue to talk about JOY, to encourage others to see JOY. I will continue to cling to hope, and pursue JOY.
To declare it in and over and through my life. 

For my life without JOY isn't living.