The Joy of the Lord -- Twila Paris

She was a 32-year woman, who reportedly was washing dishes. Does that naturally bring joy to most people? Apparently something was intertwined with this mundane activity one day in 1991, when Twila Paris pulled something from inside herself and said the “The Joy of the Lord” was present. This Arkansan (see state seal of Arkansas here) gives one a personal look at herself and the joy she has kept discovering, even just lately as described in a magazine article (see first link below) despite some personal challenges. In short, it sounds as though she found a place that has protected her…a sanctuary.  This word has been expressed in more than ways than one for her.

By the time 1991 rolled around, Twila Paris had been travelling extensively and producing Christian music for more than a decade, but what she said in “The Joy…” that year was something that had already been ongoing and would continue to play out for many more years. She grew up and still resides in Arkansas’ northwest portion, so many who know her might say home and family there are the sanctuary for Paris. It would be easy to imagine that, and see Twila decompressing one day after returning home to Arkansas from a concert tour. Just being at home, doing something that allows the mind and the body to relax in some activity’s routine, even if it’s something rather ordinary like washing dishes. She might also have been reading her bible, recalling the story of Nehemiah the governor and the priest Ezra (Nehemiah 8) as they reminded the Israelites of the Holy One’s words. They calmed the people’s grief, telling them they could become stronger through the Lord’s joy (v. 8). That must have spoken to Twila, too, centuries later. Whatever the reasons, Twila’s album that year was titled Sanctuary on which “The Joy of the Lord” appears. More recently, her husband Jack’s chronic fatigue has been a challenge for the both of them, but Twila says having the source of real joy has allowed them to endure.  Perhaps she’s re-read Nehemiah, remembering the people’s sorrow at separation, yet their perseverance through encouraging words of mentors. One cannot have too many of those, including close family, friends, and fellow-believers, as Twila and Jack have discovered (see article link below).

According to Twila Paris’ words, one might come up with the following arithmetic expressions:  Joy=Strength= Courage (verse 1); or how about this one?: Joy=Strength=Redemption (verse 2). Finally, Twila has said Joy=Strength=Trust (verse 3). Which one do I need to draw upon at this moment? It doesn’t mean I forfeit the others while I drink from one particular cup of encouragement. Their all linked together, and therefore all tied to Him. Think that could be why the cup overflows, as you might have heard someone say? Have you had anything to drink today?

Source for the story of the song: http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/twila-paris/features/the-sanctuaries-of-twila-paris/

Brief biography of composer: http://www.twilaparis.com/bio.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twila_Paris

Link to album (Sanctuary) on which the song appears: http://www.twilaparis.com/albumsinfo.php?id=11