What brings you joy? That was the question I heard on my Christian radio station: What brings you joy? There were lots of fun answers. One gentleman said he finds great joy in watching Veggie Tales with his kids, observing their reactions to each program. A woman shared that she takes great joy in looking at where she is in life and knowing that, at one time, she could have gone in a different direction. There was even an older guy who said he has an electric skateboard that brought him great joy!

The apostle Paul said many times that even though he was imprisoned, he had joy. Sounds strange unless you think about what joy really is. While the computer thesaurus gives twenty-two synonyms for joy, not one of them is anything like what Paul was talking about. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and real joy has little to do with a feeling and everything to do with a relationship with God. Given that, of course, Paul would have joy in whatever compromising situation he was in; he was doing the Lord’s work! Doing God’s work always brings joy!

What a wonderful God we have! He loves us so much to bring us joy no matter the circumstances. It makes me want to tell everyone I see that a life without God isn’t life at all, and that to experience all the joy that could be ours, we need God’s presence in our lives. Let’s spread it around!

About the author: Previously the priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid for 21 years, Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is now the Priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.