Need Strength? In A Mid-Winter Slump?

Knees bow low on the fluffy carpet calling.  And it has been far too long, pouring my all, bowing my soul, lifting this voice of recognition, to The One wholly worthy, The One replacing all pain.

He shows me His face, offering joy in the place of anxiety and fears. And with an outreached hand, I feel myself fading, His Spirit come alive, someplace unseen with human eyes.

And then the joy…oh the joy.

Still, how often do we scan the atmosphere, grip at the wind, strive and position ourselves to receive what we are missing….When His joy is just a bent-knee away?

And yet, I have found so much in His presence; grace, patience, love abounding.  Still joy, oh, there is something about joy that fills me, strengthens me…helps me to see with clear eyes how He crushes our enemy.

Where fear has no place, where defeat can be confronted with praise.  Where obstacles and road blocks get kicked thousands of miles away.

I walk inside a store after reading in scripture how, “The Joy of the Lord is the Strength of my soul”.

And there it sits.

My mind starts reeling at the thought of how our God is not limited to man’s simply ways.

And I smile. 

A plaque turned sideways, as if saying “read me”, misplaced on a shelf, crying out what I had just read hours earlier.

“The Joy of The Lord is Your Strength”. It’s words make me want to laugh out loud right there in the middle of this strange department store.

And as my heart has counted the costs and doing His will this past year….I remember how strength came when my mind shifted to His will…

How the Joy of the Lord isn’t just some blank feeling, some useless gift, some giddy smile, or some fleeting spirit….

His Joy truly is and has been our Strength.

And yet, we seek joy in other places.  People, circumstances, finances, peaceful situations.  When in fact, scripture tells us, joy is His power, found in His strength….

Joy’s source is in, nothing other than, Him.

I tuck these words close to my heart and head to the checkout isle. Knowing now I don’t want happiness.

I don’t want some joy that promises a life of plenty, ease, or comfort.  I want His joy that is more often tucked in hardships.  This joy seeping loudly when lost in His presence.  His joy found when we come boldly in His presence.

I drive home to my well-worn rug, clenching the words of His promise.  The hope of my glory.  The delight of His goodness. The joy that is strength simply found in the beauty in His presence.

Will you stop?  Rest in Him?  Will you give Him each moment and let Him be your strength, your joy, your everything in whatever situation you find yourself in?