The JOY Challenge: Day 40 - The Home Stretch

I'm deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.

 

We've made it to the final day of the joy challenge!

As I think about what I've learned, this sums it up...

Sharing pleasure with God is just as intimate (perhaps more so) than sharing hard times.

For some reason, it seems modern Christianity thinks that in order to be holy you also need to be serious and/or depressed.

Do you know what I'm talking about?

We feel comfortable talking about the hardships in our lives. But for some reason we blush and squirm when it comes to joy.

In the 1600s a council of churches came together to decide, among other things, the purpose of humanity. How's that for a low-pressure meeting?

This is the conclusion they came to...

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

How did we get from that to a place when I've heard so many Christians express (and said myself), "I feel selfish when I do something that makes me happy."

You too?

We've got to reclaim joy.

If our story begins in Eden and ends in heaven then pleasure matters to God.

You've had those moments, haven't you? The ones when you're laughing, doing something you love, experiencing one of those near-perfect experiences in life when suddenly you feel this ache, this longing, for somewhere, Someone greater than yourself?

Even in marriage, pleasure comes in moments of intimacy. And if marriage is the earthly picture of our relationship with him, doesn't it make sense that the same would be true spiritually?

I think joy, and I have tears in my eyes as I write this, JOY is God's way of calling our hearts home...of reminding us we're not made for here but for him.

Until then, he slips joy into our days so we remember.

This journey has reminded me to intentionally look at joy that way again--to let it lead me through this life like a series of signs that point to home and the One who waits for me there.

Our journey may be done...but let's keep walking this way together.

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To celebrate the completion of the joy challenge, I'm giving away a fabulous Danielson sign featuring their new book crop style (photo above). It would be a great Christmas gift! Or you can just keep it. (:

The sign says...

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Seek joy for today, strength for tomorrow, hope always.

To be entered, leave a comment before midnight on Tuesday!

 

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Comments

[Shaunie Friday]

Holley, Holley, Holley! So beautifully summed up!!
"reminding us we're not made for here but for him."

YES!

"Joy is the serious business of heaven." C. S. Lewis

Bless you, Joy-Seeker!!

[Shannon]

I've so loved this series and am so sad to see it come to an end. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us and encouraging us all to look for and embrace the joy in our lives. YOU are a blessing!

[Kristi]

I've always thought of "home" more in the hard times....i.e. "thank God this is NOT my home." Thanks for reminding me to let my joy point me there. I loved taking this joy journey with you. Thanks!

[Monica @ The Writer Chic]

I'm so proud of you for completing this series, and for the lessons you brought me along the way. Yo are a gift, Holley!

[Linda]

Just last night I was thinking I can't wait until day 40 arrives so I could congratulate you. So, Congratulations for your 40 day Joy journey. Blessings as you continue seeking God's joy in your pathway of life. Love ya,sis!

[trina]

Thank you Holley, this series has been such an encouragement to me. I came in late and didn't participate myself (I know. excuses, excuses) but I each day I looked forward to seeing how you found joy and it was uplifting to my spirit and made a positive impact in sometimes very crazy days. I think I WILL do this - for my Lord, my family and myself - NO excuses : )

[Reese]

"I think joy, and I have tears in my eyes as I write this, JOY is God's way of calling our hearts home...of reminding us we're not made for here but for him." Thanks, for this nugget, Holley.

Have a wonderful weekend.
reese

[Mary]

Hi Holley, I found you through my Dayspring.com emails. I came in late on your 40 Day Joy Journey, but was able to go back and catch up. I was actually
buying your new book "Rain on Me" for my sister in law who was just diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and she is in the hospital for five weeks to start. She just finished her first round of chemotherapy. I through your book "Rain on Me" would give her encouragement. I'm also going to share with her you Joy Challenge. The sign showing Psalm 31:24 would be of such encouragment to her. She truly "needs hope in the storm she is going through right now".
Thank you for encouraging others.

[Robin]

So glad I stumbled upon your incredible series! What a blessing to me & obviously so many! I am humbled by your ability to allow God to use you to encourage so many in your walk. Thank you! Thank you! Thank YOU!!!

[Jenetta]

Holley,

Thank you so much for sharing your gift with us. Your inspiring words have drawn like a magnet the hearts of those that would read and hear. I had the opportunity to speak with you via email a couple of years ago and was privileged to have my story in one of the write ups. I did not know at that time how much volume your words held. You sincerely have a heart for Gods people. "Stay Courageous"! Continue to "STAY COURAGEOUS" in the work of the Lord because he is using you to Heal the Land...Thank you and Be Blessed...

[Katie]

Thank you sweet Holley-I love this blog and this challenge. What a beautiful way to end a wonderful 40 days!

[Rachel Harris]

Thanks for a great 40 days of Joy! Wonderful reminders for us all to intentionally seek joy - especially in the little things!

[Lois Ann]

During your 40-days I have received many reminders of ways to find joy in what might be considered inconsequential things. Instead of the 40-days of Lent, it's been the 40-days of Joy. No sacrifice for your readers. Something we need, and good for all who have taken the "joy" ride with you. What a gift you have given us.

[Linda]

Somehow I got two days behind you on the challenge Holley, but I'm into the home stretch. I wrote the "hard" one today, and I think the next couple will be easier.

I have so enjoyed reading every single one of your posts on joy. Thank you for letting me share this journey.

[CONNIE]

Thank You Holly for this forty day journey with you it has been wonderful to have such a great prespective on different issues all of us our faced with each and everyday and WITH GOD IN ALL OF OUR LIVES HELPING TO GUIDE US THROUGH THESE MANY DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGES THAT IS TRULY TREMENDOUS JOY WITH IN IT'S SELF THESE VALUABLE LIFE'S LESSONS FROM GOD TEACH US TO ALWAYS BE GREATFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND TO PRAYER IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES NO MATTER WHAT THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES,AND DIFFICULTIES,AND AND CHALLENGES MAYBE.THANK YOU HOLLY FOR BEING A JOY TO YOUR READERS.GOD BLESS YOU HOLLY AND EVERYONE AT DAYSPRING.COM

[Jennifer Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom)]

Now may God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you believe, so that you may overglow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Thank you for this beautiful series. P.S. Would love to be entered for the sign too. ;)

[Gailanne]

Thank you so much for the messages from your heart to mine...you have such a sweet heart, and it's been such a pleasure reading your thoughts, and in a way peeking into your soul. May God continue to bless you with joy, til we all go home....

[Crystal]

You really did inspire me to seek and appreciate joy during these 40 days. Thank you! May God' joy and hope fill every day for you!

[Nancy]

Holley, These 40 days have seem to fly by I cant believe it is over. I have found joy in unexpected places and in obvious ones my days from here forth I will still look for the joy and while I wait when mom is in surgery I will remind myself of these days and as a group of christian friends begin to try to lose weight I will share some joy times with them. Thanks again and I look forward to a new adventure with you.

[Val]

I've loved your joy series. And I love the point you made here--that we don't have to be in a low spot or suffering to feel God close to us. I think I have that so backwards in my head that if I'm *not* somehow suffering or in crisis or down that I wonder where God is.... Thank you for reminding me that he brings me close--intimately close--in the joy too.

[Sandy]

Holley, What a blessing you are to us. It has been a joyous journey with you exploring the many facets of life that bring us joy. Life is beautiful whether we are up or down if God is a major part of our lives. Thank you so much for allowing God to work in your life to help us have a better walk with Christ. God bless you!

[Cindy Faulkner]

I've always been able to feel the joy and your last post put my feelings on paper for anyone to read. Thank you for doing it so beautifully.
God Bless!

[Jan Yuille]

JOY - that has been such a tough one for me for a very very long time. I had such joy when my children were little but somewhere along the way I lost it. I guess I just got caught up in the daily tasks of living. I am going to try the 40 days looking for joy and see if it helps. Thank you for the idea.

[Roslyn Jones]

Hi Holley!!! I've been married for 17 years and my husband and I also embarked on the same journey as you in hoping for a child of our own. This was not God's plan for us, and HARD though this was at the time we praise Him because He knows best. Following a total hysterectomy in 2002 I can honestly say I have pure JOY, crazy though it sounds after so much pain and tears!! God has a real sense of humour too, as we now manage a young people's Centre in Rossnowlagh, Donegal in Ireland for a christian charity. Humanly speaking, this would have been the last thing on earth I would have imagined us doing!! What can I say? God is GOOD! Its about trusting Him with it ALL. Please know we'll be praying much for you both as we understand what its like. God bless you.

[Sheila]

Thank you for blessing us with this wonderful series on joy. Blessings to you as you continue your journey.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." - Psalm 126:3 NIV