I then thought of our recent trip to Sierra Leone. Even though I have never seen such poverty physically, it seemed that joy was just waiting around every corner of our trip! I was stunned. People of all ages would gather, pull out instruments, and song, smiles and dance would erupt as people took great pleasure praising Jesus!
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My mind then flew over the past years and I started to wonder if I am still a person of joy. Have I become a bit complacent in my everyday @ home zone? Do I live joy? Am I fun to be around? Do I make others smile? How often do I come to Jesus in my day and just worship Him with the passion inside of me? Oh, such good questions to ponder! These are healthy ones.

Joy is found in something other than myself. Joy is in community and in knowing the pleasure shared in relationship. Bruce and I have moments of great joy and, in essence, have a joy-full life together. Joy is a heart full of love spilling out its immense warmth and pleasure toward someone else.

In fact, it occurred to me that this is all about others! For example, look at all the fruit of the Spirit an you'll see that community is required. What good is kindness without someone to be kind toward or patience if you never have to wait for anything from someone else? Think of it, gentleness, faithfulness, love, all rely on someone or something other than ourselves. What a gift from the Father, that He would give us resources and fruit from and for community!

That is why we need, I need, to come and be with God in the secret place for it is there that joy is fully experienced. The bonus is that we can come and never worry about offending God with our volume, style, repetitiveness, skill level, or lyrical ingenuity. We will find Him entertained by our heart. His joy will be known.

Since we have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven ... (see Colossians 3:1-4)

I don't know if it's age or just increasing desire.  I may be getting tired of the faults in my human nature or I might just be wanting to see some of the people I love, who have gone before me, again ... I'm not sure.  All I know, is that the reality of heaven is much stronger today in me.  My hunger for it and to see Jesus, grows increasingly.  I am so excited for the day that all sin is gone!  My heart jumps when I imagine the first time I see God.  My breathe is taken away with the thought.  I don't know how I'll be able to utter a sound, but I know I will want to :)  I'll want to sing something new; something that does not have an ending but simply changes direction as my eyes and my heart envelope the greatness and beauty that I am beholding.

Does this hunger render me useless here on earth?  Absolutely NOT!  Actually, I find that my heart is stirred so deeply that I am moved out of my self sufficiency and awakened from my sleep.  I am compelled by what I hope for.  Compelled to taste as much of His presence here and to lead others to Him, to show them the water of life, the fountain of eternity, the healer of souls.

The reality of heaven gives me purpose for earth.
Jesus said to ask God for His kingdom to come, for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  So be it, Lord!  Until we get to come to you.

(see also 1 Corinthians 15:43-46)