If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! In today’s Encouragement for Today devo, I share how I am a lean-mean working machine, which can be a good thing. . . until it’s not.
What does your to-list look like?
Well, if you are like me you may ask, “Which one?”
There’s my calendar which lists all my deadlines and work to-do’s, and then there’s the list on the page sitting next to me with my daily tasks. Then, there’s the reminders to pick up this, pay that, or be at this place at a certain time.
Goodness, that can make us tired, right?
It can also sneak in and steal away our joy, if we allow it. You and I are wired for joy. The Bible confirms that over and over again. In fact, it might surprise you to know that joy is talked about in equal parts with what we “do.”
The author of 1 Chronicles says that joy is where God dwells.
In the Psalms, David shouted out that his heart “leaps with joy and with song as I praise him.”
In another Psalm, we are reminded that joy is found in God’s presence.
That’s why, when it feels like I’m slipping into the grind, I need to ask one question:
Have I left God out of this?
In every verse about joy, it includes our relationship with God in what we do.
It’s a little odd to think that we’d include God as we work. As we rock that child. As we pay our bills or pick up a child at school or write a book. As we cook that meal, show up for that meeting, or (gasp) do our taxes.
Yet, if joy is where God dwells, then is it possible that God wants us to invite joy into the mundane and hard parts of our lives?
I believe he does.
The other day I was working through a really long list of things I needed to accomplish. Honestly, I wasn’t sure that I could do it all. Yet I put on my big-girl pants and decided to work as hard as I could and do as much as I could. I was going to hack away at it: Like chopping wood. Or mowing a 5-acre yard with a push mower. Thankfully, God is working on me in this area. I realized quickly that this kind of attitude lacked any semblance of joy. I slowed down and invited God’s presence into what I was doing.
That had a couple of immediate benefits
One, that list was man-made (well, Suzie-made). It was a pressure cooker of to-do’s and they didn’t all need to be done that day. Sweet, how inviting God into our every day life offers such beautiful direction.
Two, it took the pressure off. I had made that list so long because I felt I had to do all that I could to make something “work.” All God asked me to do was to show up. Be faithful. Do my part. Whether that’s as a mom or in ministry or in any other part of my life.
When we show up, listening for his voice, ready to do what he asks us to do (and not the expectations we’ve placed on that list), God delights in what we are doing — and that invites joy. It allows us to celebrate what we are doing as we clear the gotta-get-it-done-or-else mentality to see the good in the mist of that role, task, or work.
We get to worship God as we work together, hand-in-hand, us and God.
Are you stuck in the grind?
You are wired for joy. Don’t forget that part of your spiritual DNA. Nurture it. Invite God into every part of what you are doing. Make what you do for an audience of One.
When we begin to do this, it creates a dwelling place for God to inhabit and that is sheer joy.
Suzie
Read 1 Chronicles 16:27, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 16:11.
Q: If the key to joy is inviting God into the mundane, what is one area where you will begin to invite him to join you?
Related Resource
Sometimes our wounded heart gets in the way of joy.
The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Our Broken Places is a gentle resource to begin to address those hurting places.
Giveaway
- Giveaway for all of you: I’d love to offer a free download of the first few chapters of The Mended Heart, just for you. Read it. Download it. Share it.
- Second giveaway: Comment on today’s post and you will be entered to win a copy of The Mended Heart!
Thank you for your reminder.
Great devotion today! I love that reminder that I need to invite God into EVERY facet of my day, especially my mundane to-do’s to give me some perspective. I would love to win a copy of The Mended Heart. Thank you
Thinking of every task on my list that I need to invite God into today. Wow!
Thanks for the reminder. Life is hard when you leave God out of it!
Many thanks for your devotion.I have a weekly planner to remind me of events that are coming up. It does help to do mundane tasks unto the Lord and thanks for the reminder to do this. Joy is one of my favorite words. A pastor told us in a sermon many years ago that joy means Jesus, Others, Yourself which is very true. I choose joy over happiness which involves one’s circumstances. Nehemiah 8:10 b “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Thanks for listing the verses at the end of your devotion.
I choose joy! We are so blessed that we can include God in all that we do and He is ALWAYS ready and WANTS to be right next to us. What comfort and joy there is in this.
Thank you for reminding me that He simply asks me to show up and be faithful.
Lord, help me just to be present to be guided by you to accomplish the tasks you have called me to do. please mend my heart to see you, only you filling me heart with joy for all you have done for me and all the blessings that flow from you.
Amen, Beautiful prayer Tamara!
A line from one of my favorite songs says “nothing’s gonna steal my joy.”
Thank you!! Really needed this devotional today. God knows!
What a great reminder that God longs for us to be joyful! JOY = Jesus, Others and You….in that order. It also reminds me who is the thief of our joy……
This is the time of year I need a reminder to stay grateful in the storm. Thanks.
Thank you for this today! As they say, Carpe diem, and do so with the joy of the Lord in our hearts.
I am a very task oriented person so this was a much needed message. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you for this reminder. I am always heartbroken when I realize how much time goes by and I haven’t even thought of the Lord. He’s always calling me to live in the moment, aware of Him and His leading. And how wonderful to know that He is there waiting for us with joy.
Oh Trish, I am right there with you! Praying that this Friday we are both able to live in the center of His joy – not forgetting that He has given us our every breath this beautiful day!
Thank you for this reminder.
Great post! I have a hard time with this too, especially learning to stop and remember that the world doesn’t depend on me. Thanks Susie.
I loved this message today!! Something I truly needed to hear!! Thank you!
I’m a task master and need more joy. Would love to have this book.
Mended heart!!!
I just finished facilitating of reading/study of this book with 9 brave women. Sooooo much growth and healing. We laughed. We cried. We prayed. We read on. This book processed in God’s presence will be a huge part of God’s plan to being wholeness.
I have also given and recommended this book to many! It’s a must read for anyone who is broken in need of God’s mending♥️♥️♥️
(I think that covers all us girlfriends!)
LOVE this! I cannot tell you how much I truly need my heart to be mended in some areas. Big things, hard hurts, huge areas to forgive…… Would love to win a copy of your book! Thanks for the opportunity!
After all I have been through and still am walking through now I am definately in dire need of several mended hearts damage from hurricane irma for me and my elderly father trials suffering and too much too name and unjust unemployment and still now I could really use the help thanks for the amazing chance!
Praying over you, Joanna! I hope you are able to cling to the peace that Jesus has for you through all of this.
Need more joy and celebration in my life, instead of getting dragged down by the trials and circumstances beyond my control …….
Thank you Suzie for this very timely reminder, and for your generous giveaway……would love to win and read and learn from what God has shown, and you have learned so I too can grow in these things
Lord, we find joy in you and that seems impossible when our circumstances and trials are not of our asking. It seems impossible in James 1, when we are instructed that even in trials there can be joy. That makes no sense in the natural, but today I pray for my friend Linda to feel that joy supernaturally. To invite you into the midst of this trial and find you close, find you strong, find you near, and to find joy that overflows to the degree that it surprises her. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You are strong. You are brave. Your honesty is so faith-filled!
I keep singing the childrens song Ive got the Joy Joy Joy down in my heart. Hoping it helps. Ive got such a heavy load with my ailing mother with mental issues.
I am trying to find joy in my life and force myself to smile so I’m not frowning like my BFF said I am. Keep thanking Jesus for all the love He has for me.
Jewels, Jesus does love you so much. I am sure there are days it is difficult to find joy when you are so tired. You have a beautiful outlook. I see a daughter who is honoring her mother and God during this season of life. Thank you for sharing. 💕
Jewels, what a beautiful name. I pray that you will sense God close and that his joy covers you, wrapping you in love, purpose, hope, and so much more. Reaching with a huge hug. I know what it’s like to have those seasons where everything feels hard or cumbersome.
Dixie, I am reading this before I get in bed and it was
though you wrote this for me to read. Since my husbands death on December 12, 2016 I struggle with trying to get through so much paper work that was left undone. Taxes is the big big problem. I have so much to find and deliver to the CPA. Several years of taxes left not filed. I have been trying to sort all of this out on my own, and not doing very well. I have prayed for clarity, but I really need to ask God in to help me with everything. I know my joy in Jesus Christ, all I have to do is get Him involved in all of this to complete this task. Thank you for that reminder, I truly needed this tonight. I really need to read The Mended Heart. I need that. I know when I celebrate the joys that Jesus has given me, He will also help with all I need to get done. Thank you for this devotion. Gail
That is a wonderful devotion. Thank you so much for sharing Susie, it ministers and encourages me. Yes, we need to invite the Lord in everything we do and His presence brings joy.
This hit the nail on the head!! Celebrate the good things He has done!! 🙂 I needed this and would love this book and would love to share it with a friend.. We are two peas in a pod!
Hi Suzie,
Thanks for the devotional, it really spoke to me! I was talking to a friend about this very thing yesterday, so I will be sending her a copy of your devotional to encourage her!
Blessings,
Mj
I really enjoyed this post. As a college student this time of the semester gets really stressful with all of the projects and exams. It can be a lot of pressure to success and reach not only your goals, but also making they people who support you proud. I often get so caught up in the pressure and stress that I forget to dwell in the joy that God brings to me everyday, even if it’s just the small things! Thank you for reminding me of that! 🙂
Great devotion today! I find putting God on my to do list makes me think more positive! Still stressed, but devoting more time to little things like calling a somebody just to brighten their day helps!
Love love love! Thank you for sharing this! I am absolutely a list girl, always have been. Thank you for this sweet reminder!
I am wired to Joy. I have the Holy Spirit DNA. I am inviting God to join me when I helping my husband with his health issues, join me in taking care and encourage my kids and in every shore or task I have to do at home and outside home. I am His. Amen.
Your thoughts always inspire. Gods presences is a joy! I am constantly trying to remind myself that he is right here with me – omnipresent! And if that- then joy is there also. Always!
Thank you for this amazing post, I’m guilty of attacking my list on my own. I needed a reminder.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Suzie, just to step back during the day and refocus on God and invite Him into the daily, worldly tasks we have to accomplish.
Good reminder, well written and explained
I always love reading your messages. This one, as so many others, was perfectly timed!
God bless you and your ministry, Suzie.
Oh you don’t know how this has helped me today. I have been confused as how my life is going lately. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. This is exactly what I haven’t been doing. Praising the Lord!!! I forgot to bring Him into my everyday tasks! Thank you Suzie. I always love to read your posts. It is uplifting and I always learn something. I think “I don’t have time to read this today.” I sometimes go by and leave it for tomorrow when I have more time. And then when I do read it I’m so happy I read it. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep up the good work. God Bless You!
I’m such a I was made for this tough facade person. I love to do lists and knowing I got it all done…sometimes. When I don’t I’m disappointed. And yes I do need to focus on the journey, the details. What a much needed reminder!
I think I actually need to invite him into my regular everyday life because it seems I’ve been in the same kind of season for years now, and sometimes I feel like I am just floating around and wondering if I am missing a purpose or a goal or lesson God wants me to reach before moving on to something else. Maybe inviting Him more purposefully into my every day will help me see better my purpose and mission :).
Lord, thank you for pouring out your Spirit over Marik. Thank you for the wisdom to slow down and invite you into every day, and into every part of feelings, emotions, the mundane, and joyful. I pray that joy will return and refuel Marik, surprising your child in ways that delight you. For you inhabit joy. You are the giver of joy.
Thank you for this, I really needed this devotional today! I’ve been so stressed over my list & not being able to get them done!!
Hey Ann, I get “the list” thing that stresses the heart. Our Father reminds me to place “my list” into his hands when emotions start riding high. It isn’t always easy but it sure does make life less stressful, and it allows joy to step in and push away fear.
I loved the vision of a pressure cooker of lists!!! Let God release that pressure. 😁