May the Joy of Life Surprise You

I participated in youth choir at my church for seven years. Every Sunday evening, I stood among other students, singing and learning hymns and praises, enjoying time with friends, laughing and making jokes...and every Sunday evening, we concluded rehearsal with a benediction. During the benediction, we would put our arms around each other, and sway to the rhythm of the piano. Most of the time, it was merely an act of recitation and "goofiness". However, when I recently thought back to the lyrics, my heart melted. I shamelessly admit that it brought tears to my eyes.

"May the hope of Jesus find you

May the peace of Christ now bind you

May the joy of life surprise you

May the love of Jesus Christ, Immanuel

Bring abundant life to you

Grant God's grace to those with whom

You share life and health, and toil and play

Hope and peace, and joy and love

Both now and evermore

Amen"

This benediction is composed of all good and powerful things, however the most noticeable to me is the  part that says, "May the joy of life surprise you." I thought long and hard about this for some reason; it weighed heavy on my heart. The Lord revealed to me through this benediction, that I have sung approximately 300 times, that life is intended to be a road full of joy. Joys that are put in our life to surprise us, and to remind us of the provision of the Lord.

Life is a joy!

It goes by so quickly, life does. We spend a ridiculous amount of time struggling when the truth is, we don't even have to. Life is a joy, we make it complicated. We are in a constant state of "rushing" and hurrying, we hardly ever sit down to think of the joys in our lives. 

With all this being said, I would challenge you to allow the joys of this life to surprise you. May your life not be so busy or concerned with the unimportant, that you fail to acknowledge the good, pure and intentional joys the Lord has placed in your life.