One spiritual habit that has changed my journey is seeking the joy of the Lord.  That sounds a little nebulous, doesn't it?  Maybe a little too common sense?  Let me explain.

 

I grew up in a traditional, Protestant church – and for the record I still go to a traditional, Protestant church.  I saw theology, but little of the experience of God.  Today, I also see many churches that focus on the experience of God and pay little attention to the theology.  My view is that you need depth in both pieces to create a sound faithwalk.  Experience coupled with ignorance builds your faith on a shaky foundation.  Theology without joy steals meaning.

 

So, in these traditional churches, we had a great deal of instruction and a great deal of liturgy, really a great deal of tradition.  But, I rarely heard anyone speak of how the Lord had touched their lives in a specific or deep way.  As I got older, I found more and more people who shared those experiences.  My own view of the Lord became more well-rounded.  It was like taking a piece of swiss cheese and filling in the wholes with bread.  Cheese and bread both taste good, but together, they complement and enhance each other.

 

As I pulled theology and experience together, I noticed one element that united them… the joy of the Lord.  The Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit includes joy.  My experiences of God were joyful. 

 

This is what Noah Webster, the great man of language and faith, had to say of joy: