Joy on the Journey?
Years ago, I heard someone say, “The joy is in the journey.” The thought remains as profound for me today as it was some 20 years ago when I first heard it. In fact, it’s one of my favorite sayings. I write it in cards. I say it to my children more often they want to hear. I try really hard to live by it. After all, if we aren’t enjoying the journey, what makes us think we will enjoy the destination?
But, here comes the hard part! How do we find joy on a journey that sometimes seems hopeless and unfulfilling? How do we find joy when we are exhausted and have nothing left to give? When our troubles feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders and we can’t carry them one more step? Where is the joy then?
During Matt’s cancer treatment, I was challenged anew by this motto. How could there be joy in THIS journey? And, should I even aspire for joy as my child suffered? While my journey looks different than yours, to some extent we all are dealing with a cancer that threatens to rob us of our joy and contentment.
One thing that Matt’s illness helped me see was that I often confuse happiness with joy. One day in the quiet of the afternoon, Matt was sleeping in his hospital bed and I was wrestling with God on this subject. That day, like often, I reflected on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. There, Jesus pleads with the Father to take this crushing and painful death from him. Clearly he knew what before him would not be fun. Yet he conceded his desires and ultimately wanted God’s will above his own. Why? Because being obedient to God’s purpose for his life was the source of his joy. As Hebrews 12:2 says, “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Jesus showed us that living a joyful life does not rest in our health or circumstances, but in knowing God and enjoying the fellowship and relationship with Him. On one hand, this seems easy enough. On the other hand, it seems impossible. After all, it is so incredibly easy to focus on all that is wrong with life instead of focusing on all that is right about our God.
My prayer is that when we are searching for joy, we will remember that God spoke the universe into existence. He rescued His people by dividing a sea between us and our enemies. He sent His son to deliver us once again - and for all of eternity. He is faithful - yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is unchanging.It is here, in His steadfast nature, where joy is found. What a gift!