Editorial December 9, 1996 Issue

Joy that cannot be taken away

Barbara M. Vining

A warm , steady glow of joy. I noticed it in the early morning. Joy is something we'd all like to feel each day. Sometimes, though, it can seem quite out of reach. The world isn't always a happy place. But this particular morning seemed filled with joy. And as the day progressed, I asked myself how I could account for what I was feeling—and how each one of us might have joy, and keep it.

The joy I felt wasn't because of any notable event that was taking place. Joy that depends on events can sometimes vanish into thin air with the winds of change, even with a single shift in the direction of well-laid human plans. But that morning's joy wasn't fragile. It stayed with me throughout the entire demanding day. In fact, it welled up even more prominently when problems surfaced. It was the joy of knowing the love of God and of looking forward to expressing God's love in the day's activities. No circumstance could possibly deprive me of that.

The love of God is always present because God is always present. God is Love—infinite Love—filling all space. Joy is built into the very nature of divine Love (our creator) and of Love's expression, man (our actual being and individuality), forever. So, in living God's love, we find joy that can never be taken away; the opportunity to express the love of God is as ever present as Love it-self. To top it off, the expression of divine Love brings healing into human lives. What more could anyone ask for?

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