“There is joy unspeakable and full of glory… and the half has never yet been told.” — 1 Peter 1:8

There is a popular song well known in the Pentecostal tradition called Joy Unspeakable, written by Barney Elliott Warren in 1900. Inspired by the words of 1 Peter 1:8, the song declares:

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Full of glory, full of glory;

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Oh, the half has never yet been told.

What powerful words.

The writer understood something many of us are still trying to discover: joy is deeper than happiness. Happiness often depends on circumstances. Joy, however, is rooted in something greater. Joy can survive hard seasons. Joy can show up in tears.

Joy is the deep assurance that God is still present.

Joy is laughter around the table after a hard week.

Joy is hearing birds sing in the morning.

Joy is watching children play.

Joy is sitting quietly with coffee and gratitude before the day begins.

When was the last time you truly experienced joy?

Maybe joy has been hiding in places you have overlooked.

This summer, I want to invite you on a journey of Summer Joy.

Each day, pause and ask yourself:

Where did I experience joy today?

Was it in kindness?

In friendship?

In music?

In nature?

In serving someone else?

In laughter?

In remembering that God has been faithful before and will be faithful again?

Sometimes we spend so much time searching for what is wrong that we forget to notice what is good.

But Scripture reminds us that even in trials, there is a joy that cannot be taken away. A joy “unspeakable and full of glory.”

And perhaps the greatest mystery is this:

the half has never yet been told.

There is still more joy ahead.

More grace ahead.

More healing ahead.

More beauty ahead.

More of God ahead.

Prayer:

Gracious God,

open my eyes to the gift of joy again.

Help me notice your goodness in ordinary moments.

Teach me to carry gratitude in my spirit and hope in my heart.

Even in difficult seasons, remind me that your joy is deeper than my circumstances.

Lead me into the fullness of life you desire for me.

In Christ’s name, Amen.