Undaunted Joy #138

And the joy we share as we tarry there

Photo by Marie Tevosyan on Unsplash

I haven’t had much motivation yet this year.

She says this in response to my question of how are you doing?

What could change that? I asked

Well, here’s the thing. I’ve actually been feeling at peace, for the first time in a long time.

I wondered why she didn’t start with that. Why do we always feel as if we must produce? Or share where we are struggling instead of our joys? Or maybe she didn’t realize she was feeling at peace until I asked more. Perhaps her response surprised even herself.

I recently moved offices. She continues. I have a window that looks out to the water now. I’ll just look out to that water and then realize that I’ve been looking out there for a while. It’s wonderful. I’ve just felt so much peace.

But I haven’t been productive.

I told her how I’ve been in that space before. When peace surprised me. When I found myself in that space, a friend reminded me of an old hymn, one my grandmother used to love, In the Garden.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

My friend told me, just tarry there.

Tarry? I asked. You know, just stay there. Linger a while. Stay longer than you intended. Tarry.

Really what could be better than to sit in peace? Isn’t that what we are striving for? Aren’t we all trying to get to the place where we can feel a bit of peace? Isn’t peace one of the great desires of life? Why would we want to move out of that…so that we could be productive? Motivated?

Sometimes we are surprised to find ourselves in the midst of peace, happiness or even joy. We move along instead of staying. It is where the Spirit of God is revealing itself to us. Do not be afraid.

Tarry.

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Check out my interview with Rapt Interviews! (And the fun cartoon they made of me!)

Rapt hosts leaders and servants, preachers and professors, writers and filmmakers, makers and musicians and mystics—imperfect people who create and adventure with God. We talked about identity, personal struggles, my new book, Undaunted Joy, the Holy Spirit, daily spiritual practices, favorite resources that equip me to follow Jesus more closely, and the future. You just might be surprised!

Check it out here

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I am now booking speaking engagements to share Undaunted Joy for Spring and Summer. Let me know if you’d like me to come to your church, school or book club.