Joy

I'm an autumn person.  I like the deep, rich colors that come before the leaves die.  I prefer the last lines of Moby Dick ("It was the devious-cruising Rachel, that in her retracing search after her missing children, only found another orphan.") to Cinderella ("And they lived happily ever after.")  I enjoy Christmas carols written in minor keys. I like  for KING & COUNTRY's song "Crave" to their "Fine Fine Life".  And, if I had to admit, I often let myself slip into despondency for no reason, and let bitterness creep in where it doesn't belong.

Basically, I like the opposite of joy.  I'm not sure what to call it, exactly.  It isn't unhappiness or sadness or anger.  It isn't that I don't love to laugh.  I am just, moody.  Minor, instead of major.  Grey, in place of white.  And so, it makes me uncomfortable to reach outside my small circle of melancholy contentment and experience unbridled Joy.  To laugh until I cry.  To sing "Good Morning," Mandisa's energetic thankfulness for a brand new day, at the top of my lungs.  Because the introvert in me, who likes to live life in retrospection and contemplativeness,  often misses the happiness in the moment.  Often skips the blessings, and sees only the shadows.  And while that isn't always the case for me, it often turns out that way.  So, this year, I'm wanting Joy to kidnap my heart.

I've been looking at Scriptures that talk about Joy.  Lately, it's been Psalm 51:12:

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit."

 The Psalmist is asking God to give him Joy, and a spirit willing to do what God asks.  And that's the best way to start.  Prayer.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Matt. 7:7-8

 I've also been trying to find some songs with themes of Joy, but I've had a hard time finding anything that really talks specifically about Joy.  There are a multitude of songs dealing with hope, forgiveness, and grace, but I've had a difficult time finding any that have to do with Joy.

Have you been reading any Scripture about your word of the year?  If you've heard any Christian music that speaks about Joy, I'd love to hear about it!