How do we restore our joy?

I wonder how many of us over this past year have lost our joy? It’s been hard, it’s been long, it’s been frustrating and this week, really hot!

Joy has sometimes been hard to find.

At the start of lockdown in March 2020 we became grandparents for the first time. We could not see our granddaughter for the first 3 months but we’ve made up for it since!

My wife tells me at times she doesn’t recognise me as I’m totally besotten with this little girl!

There are 2 things (at least) that I’m learning from her and both bring me intense joy.

One is when she reaches for me….her little hands go out and she’s saying, “pick me up,  lift me up, there’s something I want or even need and you’ve got it!” (She doesn’t say that I’m just imagining she does!)

The second thing she does that brings me joy is when she is tired or at bed time she simply rests on me….her head on my chest and I sense she’s saying, “I feel safe and secure and I just want to be near you and with you.”

I can’t begin to describe how much joy I feel when she is reaching for me and resting on me….

One day I felt God say, “Leon, that’s the joy I feel when you reach for me and rest on me”

In the summer of 2021 I got to take a 2 month break from leading at Lifecentral church, the leaders graciously said take the time, do nothing but rest, read and be refreshed.

I realise most people don’t get the chance to do this but we all get the chance to restore our joy but as in most things, that happens by choice not by chance!

What might it look like for you over the summer as you prepare for this new season to spend some time simply reaching for God and resting on God?

Let’s face it, many of us are tired, uncertain and if we are honest, a little flat…

David writes with passion about reaching for God, searching for him with intensity and intention.

Ps. 63 v.1 says, “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you, my whole body longs for you…”

He is reaching for God, he is saying, “pick me up, lift me up, you have what I want and what I need so I’m reaching for you…”

David also knew a lot about sheep! He knew that they don’t rest if they don’t feel secure. If they sense danger, intruders, wild animals nearby they can’t rest but when the good shepherd is there they can rest knowing He has got all eventualities covered.

Ps. 23 v. 1-3 (MSG) “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”

As I began the summer break last year, my coach challenged me with some questions…..

• Who am I without Lifecentral Church?
• Where is Jesus inviting me to process grief, pain or loss?
• What is God asking me to dream with Him about for the future?

These are deep questions and at times I’m not sure I want to go there….but….right at the start of the pandemic I was challenged by this quote….

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek” – Joseph Campbell

Sometimes when we’ve lost our joy the only way to get it back is to enter the cave….as we intentionally reach for God and rest in God, as we let Him work in us, the treasure of joy will start to resurface again.

If we are being totally honest I think we’d all admit we need this right now…..after all the Bible says, ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength’