Wake up. Start the laundry. Make breakfast. Get dressed. Get everyone out the door. Go to work. Attend meetings. Send emails. Drive home. Fix dinner. Straighten up. Jump into the bed. Start again tomorrow.

If I’m not careful, I will fill my days with all the things I have to do and not leave room for the things that nurture my soul, fill me up, or give me joy. Of course, the most important way to experience joy is to spend time in God’s presence. But we can also choose to engage our sense of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell to enjoy simple joys that fill our soul. The Psalmist reminds us that “The heavens declare the glory of God…” Psalm 19:1 (ESV). God leads us to the path of joy and also provides opportunities for us to engage our senses to enjoy our world.

Our soul will not stay full on its own. Its filling takes our participation. I am learning to make time to look at the sky, listen to music, light the candles, savor a good meal, or go outside to feel the breeze. We can trust God for the joy He alone can provide, while also making time to discover the joy around us everyday.

Chrystal Evans Hurst is the author of She’s Still There, a book for women who feel lost in the middle of their life. Chrystal also co-authored Kingdom Woman with her father and pastor, Tony Evans. ChrystalEvansHurst.com

Check out more from Dr. Tony Evans @Tonyevans.org

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.



Email Sign-up

Sign up for the TWR360 Newsletter

Access updates, news, Biblical teaching and inspirational messages from powerful Christian voices.

Thank you for signing up to receive updates from TWR360.

Required information missing

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy & Terms of Use apply.