“The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.” – Psalm 33:5
For the past days, I seemed to be looking around for a source of joy and inspiration. It looked like the horizon lost its color. Joy was rather elusive. I think the colds hit not only my nose and lungs, but also my soul. Dull and joyless, I went about the tasks of the week. Even food had no appeal. The best thing for the day for me was to lay my head on the window and stare aimlessly at the mountains ahead. My body was rather weak and so was my soul. I couldn’t find a reason to be joyful.
And then the words of Psalm struck me. Where am I supposed to draw joy? Contingent joy depends upon the circumstances surrounding me. It was obvious what I was doing. Joy was elusive because I was basing it on the current time when my body is ill and unable to do what I used to do. What about all the other things that can bring about joy? Why have I forgotten these–my family, friends, supportive churchmates, students who try their best in class, and a gesture of thanks from people? I realized I was looking too far.
I have forgotten that in my not-so-active Facebook account, my profile read: “Count your blessings… name them one by one.” I have missed the fact that a short illness and little disappointments are driving me away from all the other things that give me joy.
The Earth is full of the goodness of our LORD. Our God is wonderful that His goodness counts beyond measure. I have to start counting my blessings, I have to name them one by one. To be joyless is the failure to look at the goodness of our God. I think I have a reason why I put those words of a hymn in my profile. I guess I need to be reminded more. Next time I’m tempted to grumble or look for inspiration to keep me going, I will direct my mind and heart to none other but the One True Source of joy and inspiration.
Count your blessings, name them one by one, and you’ll see what tremendous things the Lord has done. And then you’ll smile. Joy begins its course.
Thank You, Father God, for understanding some feeble days of us. Thank You for the joy that is sourced from You and Your goodness. Thank You for the blessings beyond my counting. In Jesus’ Name, I pray all these with thanksgiving. Amen.
