I don’t think I could ever choose the right words to describe joy, but I can certainly describe a person, that in my mind, exemplifies the word. His name is Larry and I met him several years ago when I worked on staff at a church in Southern California. Larry worked in the maintenance department.

Larry is what I would describe as a simple man. He spoke a little slow and dressed a little ordinary. In some circles he would probably be a man that was overlooked—not someone people would go out of there way to get to know. On this staff, however, he was quite popular and very well liked.

Every afternoon Larry would come to my office to empty my trash—sadly I produced a lot of it. I would ask him how he was doing, and with the biggest grin he would reply, “Super-Great, Krista!” I am not exaggerating, everyday this man was “Super-Great.”

Larry is quick to say that his super-greatness comes from his faith in our Lord. He told me on several occasions that his favorite verse is James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to thee.” (Not being a huge “King James” buff, I had to look up the word “nigh.” It means near.)

After Larry left my office, I would think, could it be that simple to attain joy? If I simply drew near to God, would He really draw near to me? One question would lead to another. Is God the source of joy? Could God be using a simple, ordinary man like Larry to teach me such a profound lesson?

Yes, yes, yes and yes.

When reading Galatians 5:22, we see how joy has taken its rightful and important place as being named a fruit of the very Spirit of God. Not only do we learn the significance of joy, but in John 15:5, we learn that if we press into God and get to know Him intimately, we will bear this fruit of joy. God is the source of joy.

I will confess to you that I look for joy in my circumstances way more than I ever look for joy that can simply come from knowing God more intimately. I found this quote by Priscilla Shirer, who is a Christian author and speaker. She writes in her study, Discerning the Voice of God: “Don’t spend your time wishing you could get out of the season of life you are in; rather spend your time looking fervently for God’s hand in your situation.”

And, if this didn’t hit me over the head, I don’t know what would. Priscilla Shirer goes onto say, “Often we seek to know God’s direction more than we seek to know God. We bypass the relationship because we would rather have answers about us. God wants to speak to you because He wants you to know Him.” [1]

Larry learned this vital lesson long before I ever did. True joy comes from knowing God. God has made it so easy to get to know Him. I continue to learn that God wants nothing more from me except to know Him. When I get to know Him, the rest falls into place, and joy comes.

[1] Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God (Nashville, TN: Life Way Press, 2007), 67,89