joy

I was thinking aloud with a friend today about what it means to have a lasting joy that resides in you - goes with - is a part of you. I have also been thinking about what that means recently on my own, they are just beginning thoughts...

I am thinking about that passage in Peter about women having a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious to the Lord. And how that relates to Psalm 23 and resting in the Lord - resting in the green pasture and by peaceful streams - leaning and resting on the Lord. The picture of delighting in Psalm 27 - where enemies surround but you are so focused on delighting - so focused on resting in and worshipping the Lord that what is happening in the world around you doesn't compare. A joy that bubbles up in you and makes you smile even at the oddest times because you know deep within you that He has it, and it's silly to worry.

I'll will keep thinking about it...