Returning to Joy

"But let all who take refuge in You be glad;

let them sing for joy.

Spread Your protection over them,

that those who love Your name may rejoice in You."

Psalm 5:11

Reflecting on joy has really been on my heart over the last few weeks. I've been thinking and reflecting and praying about what true joy, a joy that cannot be shaken and which radiates from me, looks like in my busy life.

If you know anything about Scotland and Scottish people, you know that we have a bit of a reputation for being dour (an old Scots word I love which means gloomy or lacking in cheer). Culturally speaking, Scottish folk have always had a bad reputation for being glum, dour folk.

But that's where verses like this one in the Psalms really make me stop in my tracks. Those who take refuge in God are to be glad. We are to be joy-filled people, who simply can't help but sing because of the joy we have. It should be something that cannot be contained. People should be able to see Christ in the ways we are living joyfully, something that cannot be altered or changed.

As I reflect on my own life, I am saddened to think of all the ways I don't always live up to this. So often, the culture around me shapes my mood and my emotions. But my joy that comes from God should shine through all of that. The joy that can only come from God should reflect in everything I do.

I'm striving to live my life with joy going forward.