Deep Joy Spilling Over

Someone remarked to my wife recently, "Cory is truly happy, isn't he."  They could just see that as I go about my business there is a sense of peace and joy about me.  Believe me, that is probably not my normal mode of existence.  I'm not a bubbly, overly happy person on the outside.  But if there is a bit of that shinging through, I atribute it to the time spent with God in prayer and memorizing of Scripture.  This is the foundation for everything else I do.  This is how I get fueled up for the day.

It is so inspiring to think about how Jesus prioritized that intimate time with God every day, no doubt irritating his disciples and the crowds as He withdrew during moments of great opportunity.  He also carved out time when others were sleeping.  In short, He made sure to fill up with God time before facing the intense work load and temptations and trials of each day that was His ministry.  Shoudn't I do the same?

But as I sit here and think about it, I know that deep within me is a large and growing reservoir of joy.  Mixed with that is perseverence, peace, intense resolve, a little bit of patience (always need more of that), and a connectedness to Christ that is worth all the money in the world.  I thank God for putting me on this path and giving me a chance to know Him a little bit in this life.  Of course we will know Him perfectly in Heaven (I Cor. 13:12), but it is nice to get a little bit of that divine intimacy here and now.  Kind of like opening one present on Christmas eve.

Taking Stock of My Progress

Every once in awhile when you are memorizing Scripture, you stop and take a look around and see how God has changed you through the whole process.  I did that the other day.  I realized I was waking up again each morning with that deep yearning to know God through his Word.  Just like it used to be in years gone by, if I haven't spent much time in the Bible by noon, I am an emotional wreck.  Then at night I find myself lying in bed, doing some final review, meditation, and prayer.  There have even been a few of those sweet times in the middle of the night when I wake up, the house is quiet and dark, and I find somewhere to sit and meet with God.

It has truly been great.  I am still managing the tension of the Synoptic Gospel issue.  I think that is going to be an ongoing problem (or opportunity, see previous post) for years to come.  However, I'm not letting it get me discouraged.  I am choosing to press on and can realistically say that my goal of finishing the NT by my 35th birthday (April 28th, 2012) is attainable, Lord willing.  How amazing would that be?

Of course you have to fall on your knees in humility before God and simply say, "Thank you, Lord...thank you."  Sometimes I ask God why He has chosen me for this amazing blessing.  Why should I get all the treasure when so many have none? 

"Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."  (Luke 8:18b)