Description
Joy is often confused with happiness, but the two are not synonymous. Happiness is tied to tangibles, and, even in favorable circumstances can be fleeting and more one-dimensional. Our consumer culture proves this. And happiness can be visited upon us, lighting on us, finding us. Joy can also find us, but it requires awareness and action, is often reciprocal and generative. Joy transforms us. Joy wraps itself around us and lifts us above the circumstances (favorable or otherwise). Joy is the peace of God’s spirit and the love God has for us. Joy is knowing the grace of God covers us. Even and especially when happiness is somewhere “out there,” and everything around and in us is crumbling. Joy is finding the courage to roll out of bed and revel in the day God has made. In this issue of the Outlook, we examine the boundless intricacies of joy.
