Before the race I ordered a key to be made for me from Keys for the Journey. This key is special because the word on it is “joy” and has been prophesied and prayed over.
I wanted to receive a new revelation of what it meant to have joy in my life. During the past four months that I lived and served with my teammate Laiken, I saw the joy that the Lord wanted me to understand.
Psalms 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Even during long, tiring days Laiken would dance around with my team leader Claire while brushing her teeth. She was on His path and living life!
She carried a calm demeanor when everything would go by quickly around us and we were overwhelmed. She would be in the Lord’s still presence!
When we experienced getting burglarized in Botswana the first thing she wanted to do was pray a blessing over the people who stole from us. She knows who holds the pleasures of her life — Jesus!
One day the Holy Spirit was ministering to me while Laiken was playing her guitar. Her face was bright with joy as she worshipped for Jesus. At that moment, I knew that no matter the pain, the loss, the challenges of life, the enemy will never again be able to take away my joy.
Joy is not temporary. It’s not something that goes away when hard times happen. You can feel sad and still have joy in your heart. Joy is not a fleeting moment and is not moved by circumstances. It’s so much stronger than feelings that sway whichever way the flesh wants.
Because He promises to never leave us, we are in His presence at every moment. Knowing this truth, I am always full of joy. Staying on His path of life fills up my joy tank. He’s the only reason why we can laugh and love even when it hurts. He’s the reason why being a missionary is an honor. Jesus comes with us to places that need joy the most.
I gave my key to my beautiful Laiken! One day the Lord will have her pass it on to someone He chooses.
Merry Merry Christmas from Zambia!! Let’s keep passing on Joy as we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ!
