I tout this as “my mantra”—my song, my hymn. But what it really is is my heart’s desire—to live joyfully (in all circumstances), to love ebulliently (God and all people), and to give sacrificially (as a testimony to my joy and love).
The desires of my flesh; however, often wage war against the desires of my heart. The battle, I have discovered, is fierce.
Living joyfully came easy to me; I thought it was simple. I wasn’t fully certain why until I came face to face with the giver of joy—my Lord. But even then I didn’t grasp the full meaning to live joyfully in all circumstances until I had to make the choice to do so. It’s intentional, not circumstantial. It’s a vertical focus, not horizontal.
Loving ebulliently came easy as well. Again, it seemed simple enough. All my life I had been surrounded by a family who loved ebulliently. But again, I only knew what that meant when, at the feet of Jesus, I heard his voice whisper—love me by loving others. It’s a calling, not a feeling.
Giving sacrificially is a work in progress. The combat against self-preservation and self-indulgence are fiercest of all. Little by little we gain ground when we practice the discipline of giving—daily, minute-by-minute. It becomes a joy—a circle and a song made complete when sung to my Savior.
This is exactly what I think of when I think of you! I have much to learn from you, my friend!
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