There is Joy in the Lord

Each and every day we have a choice. We can choose to trudge through the day, surviving the challenges and tasks with a begrudging attitude. Or we can find the joy in every task and event.

But, how can we find joy in washing laundry, doing dishes, sitting in traffic, and cleaning out the car? After all, these duties don’t naturally evoke feelings of excitement and anticipation. How do we find what we might call the hidden joy?

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 35:9 (NKJV)

Did you catch that? My soul shall be joyful in the Lord. The joy is not in the task, in the job, in the recognition we get from others, or even in the times of recreation we experience. Our joy is in the Lord Himself! So, because we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, everlasting joy is ours because joy is in Him. Therefore, while we are doing the laundry, we can be enjoying the Lord. While we are doing dishes, we can be enjoying Him. In the midst of traffic, cleaning the car, even in the midst of washing diapers or scrubbing the bathtub, we can be enjoying the Lord. We find our joy in Him, because He is the joy.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment. Psalm 16:11 (The Voice, VOICE)

The presence of our loving God brings us joy when we remind ourselves that He is always with us. And we find joy in the fact that He has saved us and we will be with Him forever.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV)

As we walk with God, His joy is produced in us and released to others. Even the fruit we produce as a result of our union with the Holy Spirit includes joy. We are meant to be joyful people.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galations 5:22-23 (KJV)

There is joy to be found in any situation and at any time- as long as we are in Christ. We will be so much more content, and our lives will be such a witness for Christ, if we would consistently look for the joy that can be found in Him. As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul writes that we are to rejoice in the Lord- it is not a choice, but a command.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (New Living Translation, NLT)

If we view each task as something we are doing for Jesus, joy in the job will come more easily. So, the next time that pile of laundry calls your name, find the joy in Him, and rejoice!