The Joy of the Master
I wrote this one night after talking with my mother on the phone. She was in the hospital at 85. We spoke about how we have so much to be joyful about, and how fortunate we are to have our lives as they are, even with our issues, ailments, and problems. We agreed that we have it so much better than many less fortunate.
How often we look at another’s grass
Wishing ours was that beautiful green
It does no good, it leads to impasse
Why fall into that worthless routine
Why do we long for the other side
When our fence contains abundance
Our gazing eyes are not satisfied
When our heart craves indulgence
We are all the same believe it or not
We all seek joy in what we’ve got
But our envy only twists our plot
And strangles the joy within our lot
Oh to learn to be free from envious greed
To be satisfied as Jesus supplies our need
To know that joy comes not in this world’s things
Realizing that real joy from the inner life springs
Joy is not found in money or possessions
The deepest joy lies in the soul’s confession
It does not increase with worldly gain
As those who prosper also carry pain
Joy is found by those who seek
It comes to all whose life is meek
It is found by those who make a choice
To heed that quiet small inner voice
Joy may come in a very small package
Not to those who stumble in worldly baggage
It comes to those who stalk it intently
Never to those who seek it gently
Joy is not an easy prey to find
When life is hard and eyes are blind
It often hides in difficult times
But in those times it also shines
Joy is a matter of the heart
It comes with a gift to impart
It brings life and it brings meaning
It brings hope and it brings healing
It cheers our face, it lightens our load
It quickens our pace, it straightens our road
It fills our heart, it enlivens our days
It conquers our dark, it brightens our gaze
Joy comes in unexpected places
In our lives it leaves deep traces
It gives us hope and freedom
As we learn to walk in carpe diem
If true joy is what you seek
Then fight and be not weak
Joy comes to those who persist
Not to those who are remiss
Be strong, take heart, fight the battle for joy
Carelessness and selfishness you must destroy
Why be blind and look to the other side
What you seek is what your King provides
He came to give life abundantly
He came to set our hearts free
He does not give joy reluctantly
He gives it to the fullest degree
So seek and you shall find
The joy that Jesus loves to share
Pursue Him as you are designed
Remember His hands hold your cares
And from your life living water shall flow
From your heart streams of joy will show
The joy of the Master will begin to overflow
As pure as gold but white like winter snow
2-27-24