Journey to Joy

Introduction,/b>

It was a beautiful spring day, full of life and promise. The birds were back in Blendon Woods, and the wild flowers were just beginning to bloom along the path. I stopped beside a deep ravine and leaned against the railing that protected me from tumbling down the steep, rocky slope to the stream bed below.

An ancient tree just beyond the fence caught my eye. Carved into its bark were the initials of countless precious people who had passed that way. I sensed God drawing my attention to them.

As I studied that tree and thought of the many lives represented by those initials, the words of Isaiah 49:16 flashed through my mind. I could imagine God holding out His hand to me saying, “See? I have written your name on the palm of my hand.”

He knows us and loves us. Our names are not written on a tree that will someday rot and return to the earth. They are written on the hand of our Creator and Eternal God.

This God now invites us on a Journey to Joy. On this journey, we will find ourselves as we were meant to be when He created us. As we trust Him and obey His counsel, our hearts and relationships will be healed, and we will learn how to love the way He loves us. And all the while, He will be our dearest friend and wonderful Savior. We will come to know personally the Creator who has a unique design for our lives.

Get ready for Joy!