Zion

A friend of mine, about a week ago, sent me a text and asked me "What is God's purpose for our lives?" I sent her one word: Joy. She said that she felt joy was important, but could not see that as the purpose of life. For the last week I have found myself pondering the idea of joy again. My step-mother told me a comment her stake president made. Something to the effect that joy comes from strict obedience.
Last night I was talking with a friend and she made the comment that when we are growing we are increasing our capacity for joy. I like that. There is a truth that all of these thoughts have lead me to. Joy is a state of being that can be found in a "poor heart" or, a heart that is open to truth and growth. The heart that is able to see a trial as a way for increasing their capacity for joy, to see obedience as the tool that leads to joy, to see joy as the purpose and aim of life - that heart is one that is open and able to be close to God.
An open heart will lead to relationships that promote the building of Zion. The connection that happens to two or more people whose hearts are completely open is indescribable. There is a refuge found in that relationship. There is a holy, sacred peace that can only be described as joy. Rejoicing in truth. Rejoicing in our ability to truly see each other. Rejoicing in our hearts having a place to go where all is love and assurance.
I have another friend whose 4th child is taking his/her time in getting here. She is 42 weeks along (plus 1 day) and this baby has reminded me of another aspect of joy. The trial of waiting increases this families ability to rejoice when the baby arrives, but there is another joy I see here. Maybe it is because I am not the one carrying the baby....I'm sure that helps my ability to see things a little differently.
As those of you who know me know, I am unable to have children. This friend has included me in every aspect of motherhood that she could. And I am writing this post from her computer, hoping she has this baby before I have to go back to work on Wednesday morning. This baby has brought she and I closer together in our relationship. As I watch her hope and wait for this baby, I find myself feeling gratitude for all that this experience is to me. In Isaiah 14:32 we read, "What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."
This is the joy I see in this experience. The temporal aspect of Zion is that "there [are] no poor among them." My friend is giving me the opportunity to experience something I could never have had any other way. She is sharing what she has with one who has not. She is giving me a glimpse of our eternal goal. Tonight I feel like the poor of God's people, trusting in Zion.