Joy (Chapter 7)

  71 Joy is the fruit of Praise.
It is the song and dance of Life.

2 Joy is found in the song of man;
joy inhabits his praises of life. Life
is of GOD, and the worship of
life’s fullness is joy.

3 This is the New Song that I shall
sing in praise to the LORD; it is the
song of the abundance and overflow
of the GOD of life. It is the Song
of Life; and it is born in the act of living.

4 “Father, I sing unto you with my
dance; the steps of life I take.
I’ve sought your face in children, and
listened to the voice of men; but in
my very actions is where you do begin.

5 I shall climb a mountain just to reach
the top, and I shall wade the rivers, with
no certain goal, I’m searching for my
answers in my own joyous way – it’s
living in the world you made that is what
makes me whole.

6 I was uncertain in my path, there were
so many roads; but the journey starts
with one small step and
each man steps alone.

7 You gave me choice and life, my LORD;
You set your sign about me; it is my choice
to see. Your voice is in your whisper; it is
my choice to still myself if I would truly hear.

8 But a surer guide you gave me, and He is
in my heart; your Holy Spirit is the light
which beckons through the dark. He is the
voice of my conscience which I hear.

9 You have given me life, Father. You have
commanded me only to love You and to
love my neighbor. You have promised me
abundance and mercy if I would
follow your commandment.

10 My duty is to the harmony of all of
your creation. Therefore I sing the
song of your praise – to the living of
this life – so that others who stand idly
may find a way to stride; and those who
have been lost, find no more need to hide.

11 You are my LORD, my maker and my
friend. I shall never stand uncertain, for
I trust in you and I shall live to my
fullest this gift you have given me.

12 I believe that at the crossroads you
shall guide me; and even though I may
choose wrong, you will still take me
on a marvelous journey and
bring me home in your time.

13 You have been faithful and true to me
Lord, as you promised. When I was lost
you sought me out and guided me safely
back. I will live my life in abundance,
and without fear.

14 My duty unto you is to look for your
sign, and to listen for your voice. I
choose to follow my heart, my Lord –
for in Truth, this is your mansion that I seek:
a place of life eternal. Life is in the living,
and heaven is merely the abundance therein.

15 I shall sing my song of life in every step
I take. It’s fullness is in righteousness – in
everything I make; for actions taken
justly are building new creation.

16 My Joy is in salvation, which kills the
doubt of wrong, thus freeing up my power
to keep my steps dancing – dancing to
the beat of song.

17 My song is Love. Father, I sing
unto you with my dance;
the steps of life I take.”

18 The season of joy comes to those
who have sought the face of God.
God’s light is in the being, and goodness,
and fullness of His creation. How can
you seek if you do not begin the journey?

              ——