Oil Of Joy

Psalm 45:7 -- "Your God has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

image: Louis Schwartzburg - Disney's "Wings of Life"

Lush green enveloped us and there was no sign of another living human soul. The music of bird song, cicadas, frogs, and squirrel chatter held us in a symphonic bubble while the rest of the world was shut out beyond the tree line and the leaf litter.

A gorgeous golden light danced through the gaps in the tree branches and we could hear the gurgling of a fast moving stream. Oh to find that stream and dip within it's icy waters our tired tootsies.

We hadn't been too long in the splendid Florida wilderness as our boots hiked away from the camp ground, but the day was hot enough and our children young enough that we already needed to take a break. When we found the wonderful creek with it's white sandy bottom, sing-song babbling, and tiny fish - I was flooded by a joy so full - and so bright - that I immediately slipped off my socks and shoes and set my feet in to the ankles, splashing my husband with high kicks as he stood on the grassy bank.

My joy was quickly matched by the energy of our two young boys. As they both begged to take a dip in the stream it was all we could do to make sure they'd rolled up their shorts and removed their shoes before the gleeful splashing began. There is no sound like the playful laughter of your own children. There is no joy like that gifted by the memories shared with one's family.

image: Louis Schwartzburg - Disney's "Wings of Life"

We are so richly blessed that God has set us up to receive true joy. We may find that we often forget that  joy IS what we are given. We may find ourselves so buried in the movement of life that we neglect to look for the rainbow after the rain or the silver lining in the clouds when the thunder is gone. But our Creator did, indeed - anoint us with the oil of joy! If we take but a moment to seek it out, we will be greatly rewarded.

One of my favorite filmographers, Louis Schwartzburg, said that life is in the little things that often go unnoticed. I think that same thing could be said about joy. Joy is so often overlooked. But God told us that we have been anointed with it. We are set above the tragedies that come with life, we are set apart from the failings and the pit-falls - we are anointed with the oil of joy!!

How sweet is that!?