Choose Joy

About two months ago, my pastor Pete Wilson talked about joy. Since then, I haven't been able to get his words out of my head.

Choose joy.
Choose joy.
Choose joy.

When I am frustrated about something, I hear the whisper of the Lord, choose joy, my child. Don't let this silly thing steal your joy.

The root of my frustration usually stems from me doing too much. I am the type of personality that likes to be busy. I do a lot. I write a lot of lists. I oftentimes over-commit, and excitement about a new project can turn to overwhelming dread when I evaluate all that is on my plate.

Can you relate? Surely I'm not the only woman who juggles way too much.

In the same sermon about joy, Pete said, "everybody has treasures. Your treasures shape you. You'll become like what you idol."

What are my treasures? What do I idol?

Busyness.

Achievement.

Juggling too much – and appearing to do it "well"

<gulp>

Am I choosing joy? Not when these are my treasures. The joy they bring is temporary.

These are not what I want my treasures to be, but if I look honestly at my life, I can't deny their presence. And they are stealing the joy of the Lord that is inside of me.

What Pete said next really hit close to home.

"If you are worshiping something other than God you will be chronically disappointed. When you are living in a healthy rhythm, you will treasure more."

We are in month three of a new decade, and I am striving to choose joy and live in a healthy rhythm of loving God and growing closer to Him.

Am I still busy?

Yes.

But I am trying to not let that busyness interrupt the healthy rhythm I want to live.

I'm choosing joy.

What are your treasures? What interrupts your rhythm?

by Jessica Turner, The Mom Creative