I recently presented a workshop on spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.

Some of the most well-known practices that fit into this category are prayer, Bible-reading, fasting, worship, serving others, etc. There are others, but those are some of the most popular.

Over time, we can start to feel “stuck” in our routine. We know these practices are good for us. We know they help us draw closer to God. However, we can still feel like we fall into a rut. 

That’s why it can be helpful to remember the relationship between communion with the Lord and joy. 

When we commune with God, we draw closer to God. Since he is the author of true and abiding joy, we are also nourishing ourselves with a growing joy that only he can provide.

One of the most famous verses about rejoicing is Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand…” 

That last part about the Lord being “at hand” could also be translated like this: “The Lord is near.” People sometimes think that this is about the return of Jesus. Perhaps in part. But Paul goes on to talk about deliberately focusing on practices that honour God—whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely and commendable (verse 8). When that happens, we will experience more of God’s peace.

The point is this: When we draw closer to God, we are nourishing ourselves with a growing joy that only he can provide.

My hope is that this provides you with some motivation to continue with those spiritual practices that grow and deepen your relationship with God. If there is a relationship between communion with the Lord and joy, how can we not? Joy is what happens when you abide in the presence of a God whose love for you is constant.

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-Bible quotes are from the ESV.