Where's joy?

Joy can feel as elusive as a far-flung star in the deepest night. When you look at it, it's gone but when you look to the side, it's there.

C.S. Lewis called joy “unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction.”

Sometimes the joy blossoms unbidden, like a spring bubbling up and flowing unbidden. And sometimes joy hides its face and we wonder if we ever felt it.

Lewis defined joy further: it “must be sharply distinguished both from happiness and from pleasure.” We crave happiness and pleasure, rushing from entertainment to diversion in hot pursuit.

But happiness and pleasure don't morph into joy. They fade in the noon sun and we're left wondering what fulfills.

Joy is a by-product of life with God. We don't find it on a joy expedition. God is the source of joy and he gives it: "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy." (Job 8:21)

Today may be dusty and dry or sweet as ripe grapes. But joy is not elusive.Lewis found joy because he found God as its source. We can search for joy or we can search for God.

They feast on the abundance of your house, and
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
Psalms 36:8