Click above to sample Vive La Joye as you read. If you enjoy, use the following links to shop and hear more: A Thousand Years CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book, Vive La Joye PDF Sheet Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora.
Can you recall a “lesson on joy” that inspired you?
About one month ago I had the privilege of playing an outdoor benefit concert for Old Friends Canada, a horse rescue non-profit in Lake Country, British Columbia, north of Kelowna. I had never been to this part of Canada (above the state of Washington), and I didn’t know the “lesson on joy” that awaited me there.
The photo below captures one of the precious moments of the event. It was amazing to have a horse ring as the stage for the keyboard. It was even more incredible to meet my new friend Adrienne who became a quadriplegic from a 1982 car accident. Adrienne’s “lesson on joy” was so moving and inspiring I wanted to share it with you…
Adrienne asked me to play the song Vive La Joye from my album A Thousand Years. She and her riding partner performed a horse dressage to my music. It was perfectly choreographed and timed. It was majestic, peaceful and beautiful all at once. In choosing this piece of music, Adrienne began teaching me a deeper lesson about joy.
She had loved riding horses since she was a little girl, but becoming totally paralyzed in the accident forced her to give up her favorite hobby for twelve years. Adrienne was determined to get back on the saddle, and eventually regained partial but limited use of her hands. I learned there are gaited horse breeds which move their legs in unison on each side. Their smooth movement does not bounce like a typical horse trot, and Adrienne is able to perform horse dressage at a professional level using a special saddle.
However, it is Adrienne’s level of joy that will captivate your heart. Here is what she taught me that day, along with everyone in the concert audience:
- Our joy is not defined by our circumstances. The joy of the Lord is our strength. See Nehemiah 8:10.
- Pursuing plans, hopes and dreams God plants in us leads to deeper joy. See Jeremiah 29:11.
- Joy brings confidence as we let our light shine for others through our gifts. See Matthew 5:16.
- Joy is contagious and draws others a step closer to trusting God and experiencing His joy. See Psalm 16:11.
Which aspect of joy speaks most to you in your current circumstances?
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” — Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
The idea I need (we need) to “celebrate our obedience” more has been very redemptive in my life journey. I used to take things far too seriously, to be self critical, to be quietly judgmental of others, and to lack true joy. Since God celebrates our obedience as our loving and faithful Father, the idea is that we, along with our brothers and sisters in Christ, should celebrate our obedience more together. We should share our stories of God’s faithfulness with a spirit of celebration, instead of comparing the results of our obedience, or questioning someone’s obedience. All of our obedience is pleasing to God. He does not measure on our earthly terms. As my good friend Ken Boa likes to say, “Our good works for God are like ‘refrigerator art’ to Him.” He loves us like we love a little child or grandchild’s coloring. With love, grace and joy, God smiles and puts our “drawings on His refrigerator.”