What about joy?_Proverbs 17:22

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (ESV)

What does it mean for you to be filled with the joy of the Lord? This question was posed in my daily devotional this morning, and it made me pause.  What is true joy? And the image of the face of Tayong came into mind.

Tayong was a longtime friend, and perennial neighbour, and she was the teacher of Josh and Sarah in pre-school. Last year, when I heard  that her husband had suddenly passed away, I went to the wake to express my condolences to her and her 3 children. Half-expecting to see her as the bereft widow, I was surprised when she came out to greet me and our other friends with a joyful smile. She had tears alright but they were tears of joy as she began to tell us how Derek’s passing, sudden as it was, showed God’s mercy and grace.  She was even so grateful that Derek had his haircut just a few days before so, as we looked at her husband, she whispered, “See? He’s so gwapo! (handsome)” What made her joy so utterly, well, a joy to witness is that we all knew she was battling latter stage cancer at that time.  She had always thought she would go ahead of Derek but, she was anticipating that they would see each other soon. True enough, she joined her husband in heaven just 8 months later.  

At her wake, there were a lot of tears shed….but they were tears shed with joy. Tayong showed us how the passing of one who has surrendered to Jesus in faith is a time for gratitude and celebration. For me, she showed me what it is to be truly filled with the joy of the Lord.

Psalm 16: 11 tells us, “You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for ever more.”

Lord Father, true joy is in You and in You alone. Let me walk this life filled with the joy that comes from You, so that others too may know Your grace and goodness. Yet even as I journey through difficult times, I am filled with grateful anticipation of being in Your presence forever.

Heart Check_Deuteronomy 8:3a

"...to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Just like the drought brought on by the El Niño this summer, I've been having my own dry spell, unable to draw the right words and phrases to help me write a blog that's humorous or insightful (or so I'd like to believe). This morning, as I was about to start my daily devotional, this thought suddenly crossed my mind: "Words run dry when you're not tapped into the Word." And sure enough, when I turned to the reading for the day, the Bible verse was Deuteronomy 8:3!

Lately, I've been trying to write based on my own assumed writing abilities -- "talent" if you will -- rather than dwelling on His Word and waiting for His Holy Spirit to show me what to write. Why weren't the words flowing out of me like before? I realized the answer was based on the answers to these questions -- What is my reason for writing my reflections in the first place? Are they simply heartfelt expressions of insights I received while spending time with Jesus or have they become possible "posts" on social media? I need to check my heart and guard it just as Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for making my writing about me, and not about you. I'm sorry for not guarding my heart and allowing it stray from you. I tap into You, my only source of all truth, of all wisdom, of all love. "May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to your sight, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer." Psalm 19:14.

Standing in the Light _ Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

“Just step on the cross, po, and the spotlight will be on you,” was the direction given by the stage manager to the awardees as we nervously waited to be called onstage.

Much later I viewed the pictures taken by Sarah from where they sat in the gallery of auditorium of my alma mater. This one picture stood out, and it's implied message struck  me.

People who know me know that I'm not shy, but in that moment I became shy all of a sudden. At that event, I felt undeserving to receive such a prestigious recognition for the work our family was doing. I noticed I didn't even fully step into the spotlight. But then through the picture I learned a powerful lesson. 

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) True enough, Jesus is the true Light. Whatever light I have comes from Him. Because He is my Spotlight, I need to do just one thing -- step in faith on the Cross, and let His Light shine through me.  

Heavenly Father, You have given me the greatest, most awesome gift -- Your Son, Jesus, the Light of the world! Who I am right now all comes from Him, whatever I have done and am able to do is because of Him.  I am humbled by this thought!  Use me and may I always be keenly aware that the source of my light comes from Your Light.

Puzzling Pieces_Romans 8: 28.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

I enjoy working on puzzles, and I even have a technique to get started. I look for all the corners first and all the pieces with straight edges which I know will form the border. But it is the middle part that becomes tricky and this is where frustration starts creeping in. So I check the pieces I've put together against the picture on the box and see if they match up. 

Many times though I get bogged down with my own little pieces in my life that don't seem to fit. But in real life, I don't have a picture to match these pieces against. What I do have, which God has provided, are His promises. I know that He has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and that they are good. I know too that His purpose will always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).  

Lord, I am so grateful that You hold all the pieces of my life, and that You know exactly how it should look like. Help me to remember Your promises when some pieces don't seem to fall into place as I expect.  

Oct. 30, 2015

Image credit: shutterstock