In His Presence
by Dave Gillogly
When was the last time you felt real joy? Stop reading right now and try to recall the experience and the feeling; I’ll wait a minute while you sense that joy again.
Describe it. Did it bring a sense of peace? Did your whole body respond? Did it make you smile?
And what caused it? Did someone you respect compliment or thank you? Did a child leap into your arms and hug your neck? Did you see something so beautiful that you were filled with gratitude, awe and joy?
Why are those moments of real joy so rare? And is it because they are so rare that they are so meaningful and memorable?
Recalling some of those moments will probably show you a pattern or a commonality of the things which caused you to feel joy. In my case, two things are most likely to give me that immediate burst of joy in my heart. The first is, by saying, doing or giving something to someone that causes them obvious joy. I am so blessed when I know that I’ve been a blessing. Years ago, I went through a process (a process that I’ve led hundreds of others through since then because it was so meaningful to me) of discovering and writing my own “personal mission statement.” I discovered, through about an hour-long process, that what really motivated and rewarded me was helping other people succeed. That drove my whole career, regardless of what job I had or for what organization I worked. And of course, it still drives me.
The second thing that always brings me joy is to immerse myself in God’s creation. Something I read once still resonates with me. The author recounted that he was on a break at a spiritual retreat when a friend asked if he’d like to go for a walk. He said, “Sure. Where are we going?” His friend replied, “I just want to go out where things work the way they’re supposed to.” In nature we’re in a place where “things work the way they’re supposed to.” Poet Kat Lehman said, “A tree never asks, ‘How do I look?’” John Muir said, “I never saw a discontented tree.” He also said, “Storms of every sort, torrents, earthquakes, cataclysms, convulsions of nature, etc., however mysterious and lawless at first sight they may seem, are only harmonious notes in the song of creation, varied expressions of God's love.” And Jon Lubbock said, “Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of heaven.”
I can watch the sky from my front porch or stroll through a nearby park or woodland, or hike and fish Yellowstone National Park and feel overwhelmed by God’s presence. I feel not only peace, awe and wonder, but also pure joy.
Think about the things that give you joy and repeat them as often as you can. I think you’ll find, like me, that it’s most likely not as selfish as it sounds. Most of us will find that sharing or helping others brings great joy. And nearly all of us feel joy in God’s creation.
But the question remains, “Where can I find lasting joy?” Not occasional, not sometime, not momentary, but lasting joy. Well, the Bible holds the answer. Psalms 16:11b says, “In His presence is the fullness of joy.” Of course, we know that death or the Rapture will enter us into His presence. But must we wait until then? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes and no, but that’s a discussion for another day.
Until then, do what brings you joy (or as Millicent says, what makes your heart sing) as often as you can. And if it doesn’t happen often enough to suit you, start looking for it in everything God has created, and everything he allows or brings into your day, including other people. You’ll be amazed at how much joy is there if we only look.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…
- Romans 15:13
Author Bio
Dave Gillogly has been a member of Council Road for 44 years and is a guy who has been blessed by so many lifters in his life that he can hardly keep his feet on the ground. He’s trying to return the favor.