Joy is a choice

​How often do we miss out on joy while we are searching for happiness?

I had a conversation with a friend yesterday morning about finding joy. I was reminded of all the years I missed out on joy because I was trying to find it - I was searching for it - instead of choosing it.

The conversation was timely. It was at the beginning of what was going to be the longest work day I've had in a long time. I was staring at a calendar that had me sitting in my chair in zoom meetings for nearly 8 straight hours.

Most of those hours would be leading conversations, not merely listening in while watching Netflix on my phone (the way I see a couple of middle schoolers do this whole zoom "home school" thing every day 🙄).

It was a schedule that didn't leave me feeling happy. There was nothing much hilarious about it.

My prayer to start this crazy day wasn't, "God make me happy with this day." Instead, my prayer was - "God, use these draining and never ending conversations for your good." And, yes, I sometimes whine to God with my prayers. He doesn't seem to mind and the beautiful thing is he never whines back.

When I go into a long day like that - or when I go into anything - trusting that God is using it for his good, that brings me joy. When it begins to slip away in hour 4 of those conversations, I don't have to log off zoom and go look for it. I simply have to remind myself to choose it again.

During the last of the zoom meetings yesterday afternoon, I guest lectured for a psychology class at the local college where I work. I had nothing left for these kids. I was "zoom depleted" - I just wanted the day to be over. Please, just be over.....

But I somehow found the energy. It was like God was still cashing in on that prayer from many hours earlier. And he was saying - I've got this.

And he did indeed have it.

When that class was over, within minutes I received an email from my professor buddy who hosted me. He said: "Thanks again, Keith, for joining our class today! As expected, the students really were interested and had great questions. I always enjoy our collaboration!"

That last line - I always "enJOY" our collaboration. It was like God was closing out the day with a thank you note. It was like God was reminding me that joy is found in working with Him. It's like God was saying, you might not always find happiness in your day, but you can always choose joy in it.

You can always choose to collaborate with me.

Don't miss out on a chance to choose joy while you're trying to find happiness.