I was watching two birds flying about this morning – right across the rising sun  swooping around – up and down – sometimes with wings flapping – at other times – simply catching the air flow.

What struck me was a sense of ‘joy’ – of ‘playfulness’ in their flight – as though they were flying – just for the sheer enjoyment.

The thought hit me – and I began to ponder on how many times I do something – simply – just for the ‘sheer joy’.

There’s a song called ‘Pure Joy’ by Chris de Burgh

We were talking about how all the years go by
People and places and the march of time
Only memories can take us back there again

Like the day on the boat, beneath a clear blue sky
When out of the sea they came to jump and fly
Now I understand why my friend said
“Dolphins make us cry”

‘Cause this was pure joy the way they laughed and played
Skipping and a-dancing through the ocean waves
It was pure joy for all to see
So why can’t we, more often feel that joy of living?

And we were talking about how in the days gone by
We would believe that all our dreams could fly
But they fade away, like sunset out of the sky

And I was there in a garden where the children play
Hearing them singing on a summer’s day
Made me realize how soon we lose that innocence inside

‘Cause this was pure joy the way they laughed and played
Skipping and a-dancing on that sunny day
It was pure joy for all to see
So why can’t we, more often feel that joy of living?

So much of life follows a routine. There are certain things that need to be done each day – and they can all evoke a different response in me. Some things I enjoy more than others – somethings give me more pleasure – yet – most times I’m performing because a certain thing must be done. I want to accomplish certain things in my life – and many of them do give me joy and pleasure – but – how many times do I set out to do something – with nothing else in mind – but ‘sheer joy’

There was an abandonment in the flight of those birds this morning – it was as if nothing in the world mattered other than the joy of flying.

 

Maybe I need to abandon myself more to the sheer enjoyment that life can give. By that I don’t mean that all I care about is my own pleasure and enjoyment with no thought for anyone else.

No – in fact the opposite is true – I seek to live my life in a way that pleases God and blesses others.

Abandoning myself to the sheer joy of the moment can do that – I imagine God smiling as I do – enjoying watching me be more of who He made me to be – having fun – delighting in all He gives me – making Him smile as a parent does – when watching their children abandon themselves to the sheer joy of life.

Maybe – I need to let go more – throw myself into moments of sheer joy – ‘fly’ – for the fun of it and in doing so encourage others to do the same!