Pure Joy

It was July. The heat was visible in the sky as the sprinkler sent drops of water propelling through the air; the drops were sparkling, looking like a rainbow, a promise.  I was seven years old, spunky, full of life.  I had wavy auburn hair that Carl said was "all burning up".  I was wearing my sea green swim suit with the ruffles on the back.  My eyes disappeared into a huge smile that spread across my face. I ran through the sprinkler holding on tightly to the hand of my little sister, laughing and shrieking at the shock of the cold water against our hot skin. We slipped and fell and got right back up, giggling, covered in grass that had just been mowed.  I remember that little girl and one word flashes to my mind:

Joy.

Pure Joy.

I want that joy to envelop my life like my smile envelops my face.  I want the Joy of the Lord to radiate through me that clearly.  Even when I slip and fall.  Even when I am dirty, when I feel worthless.  

I look around me and stand in awe of Gods glorious creation. His matchless creativity.  His unending love.  His redemptive work in our lives. The people He has transformed.  How can I ever be without Joy?? How can I ever be without thanksgiving? I am a daughter of the most High King.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made in God's perfect image.  In my weakness, His strength is made perfect! I am valued by Him and am worth more than all the riches in the world.  God has saturated us in the glow of His beauty.  How can I not praise Him? How can I be without joy??  He has saved me from death and has given me hope and a promise to live with Him for all eternity!!! Oh, Joy!

Psalm 16:11 

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy 
in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

So who am I, anyway??

Who am I?? 
First and foremost, I am a child of God.  I am a member of Christ's family.  I have an incredible earthly family whom I love more than almost anything.  God has surrounded me with an amazing community that spurs me on, encourages me, loves me, and keeps me accountable.  I have been called by God to follow Him in everything that I do.  To abandon myself and my earthly desires and live my life for completely for Him and for His glory and His purpose. 

Emily means diligent one.

\ˈdi-lə-jənt\- characterized by steadfast, earnest, and energetic effort. 


For a long time, I didn't even know what diligent meant, and I never really think about what my name meant.  After all, it is just a random name that my parents picked.  But, the bible commands us to be diligent. The concept of diligence has been on my heart for quite some time now.


"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58


I am graduating in May, which is something that scares me. A lot. I feel like I need so much more time in school, that I have so much more to learn, that I have so many more places to grow.  I have been a diligent student for four years, and now God is calling me to be diligent outside of the safety of my comfort zone. God has such a wonderful, beautiful plan for my life.  His ways are sovereign, I know that I have nothing to fear. 
God has called me to diligently follow Him to Kenya after I graduate in May. He has called me to earnestly seek Him, to be steadfast in my walk with Him, and to energetically go and tell others about Him and the hope and joy that comes from a personal relationship with Him.
  
I am His. And that is all that matters.