This Joy That I Have...

This meditation is inspired by the timeless gospel song “This Joy That I Have” by the legendary Shirley Caesar, known as the First Lady of Gospel. Rooted in themes of spiritual resilience, it invites listeners to reflect on the deep joy, peace, love, hope, strength, and freedom that the world cannot give—and cannot take away. With grounding affirmations and moments of quiet reflection, this practice offers space to connect with your inner strength and sacred stillness. Music by Chris Collins. Photo by Paul Henrichs

Transcript

This reflection is inspired by a powerful gospel song,

This Joy That I Have,

The World Didn't Give It To Me,

Written and made famous by the legendary Shirley Caesar.

Her music carries themes of faith,

Perseverance,

And unshakable joy.

This Joy That I Have is more than a song,

It's a declaration of spiritual resilience.

It reminds us that the joy given by God cannot be taken away by the world,

No matter the circumstances.

As we reflect today,

Let's carry forward the same spirit of hope,

Strength,

And unbreakable joy.

To begin,

Let's take a deep breath in and out.

Find a comfortable place to sit,

Feel your body relax a little,

And just focus on breathing.

The song says,

This joy that I have,

The world didn't give it to me.

This joy that I have,

The world didn't give it to me.

The world didn't give it,

And the world can't take it away.

Let's take a moment and just reflect on those words,

Shirley Caesar's ideas of how we connect to something deeper and bigger than what can be taken from us.

This verse definitely speaks about joy,

But it also shows a spiritual truth.

There are things that God has given us that cannot be taken away,

And that is power that we can harness.

She goes on and says,

Then this peace that I have,

The world can't take from me.

We're going to take this pattern,

And we're going to apply it in some different ways.

Not only is there a joy that the world can't take from us,

But how about this peace that I have,

My job didn't give it to me.

This peace that I have,

My job didn't give it,

And my job can't take it away.

This love that I have,

Other people didn't give it to me.

This love that I have,

Other people didn't give it,

And other people can't take it away.

This hope that I have,

Material gain did not give it to me.

This hope that I have,

Material gain didn't give it to me.

Material gain didn't give it,

And material gain can't take it away.

This strength that I have,

My circumstances didn't give it to me.

This strength that I have,

My circumstances didn't give it to me.

The circumstances didn't give it,

And these circumstances can't take it away.

The freedom that I have,

Money didn't give it to me.

This freedom that I have,

Money didn't give it to me.

Money didn't give it to me,

So money cannot take it away.

You carry this joy.

You carry this peace.

You carry this love.

You carry this hope.

You carry this strength.

You carry this freedom.

Let it stay with you.

Let it grow in you,

And let it shine from you.

Reviews

This was rejuvenating , you have a peaceful and soothing voice. Thank you for using your gifts to bless me

Amen! May these impactful reflections be heard across the world🙏🏻thank you

Deep and reassuring. "...The world cannot take it away." Good news. Thank you!