Unorthodox Joy

A few days ago a question was posed to me: "When are you the most joyful?"

I thought about it for a few moments, and the answer I responded with was a little less than orthodox:

-I'm snowshoeing somewhere deep in the outdoors of the Colorado wilderness. I've just come into a secluded but open area surrounded by trees and mountains. It's snowing, but not so hard that I can't see. Rays of sunlight peek through the snow clouds blanketing most of the sky. I'm standing still and listening to the silence, the falling snow canceling all noise from the otherwise busy world. The elements freeze time and all is in an awed hush...and that's when I hear Him whisper, "I love you. I love you. I love you!""

-Or I'm sitting in a coffee shop near a window with a half-finished cup of coffee. The place isn't crowded but isn't completely empty either. My Bible is laying open next to my journal and I have my headphones in listening to songs by Hillsong United and Desperation Band. There's an unfinished sentence on the freshest page of my journal as I take a moment to look out the window and notice the rain splashing against the pane. And that's when I hear His praises being sung, electronically transmitted from a heart that matches my own; "You hold it all...together. You hold it all...forever. You hold it all. You started it all. You are my all in all!"
And my heart begins thumping, not because of the bass drum or the beat of the song, but because if I don't worship with my emotions; hands trembling, tears rolling and spirit weeping, I'm almost positive that the rocks and trees outside are going to start screaming His glory!

God forbid we should ever forget these moments! Rather, may we only add more and more to them until the day they become the daily norm; yet far from mundane!

What awesome moments of experiencing His presence and joy have you been given the privilege of participating in lately? Not so recently?

(Song: You Hold It All - Desperation Band)

Location:Huai Kaeo Rd,Chang Phuak,Thailand