Where can I find joy?

Joy is much sought after, but often elusive. Where can we find it? An honest and vulnerable conversation with Silvie Paladino as we hear her story, and engage some big questions about singing, and the joy it brings and finding something bigger in life.

Our guest: Silvie Paladino is one of Australia’s most versatile and talented entertainers. She has performed in musicals and concerts all over the world. She’s sung at Grand Finals, the Boxing Day test, V8 Supercar Championships and is also a regular performer at Carols by Candlelight each year.

This show was recorded as a part of the Songs of the Heart series. To explore more, download a free reading guide.

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Bigger Questions asked in the conversation

You’ve sung at Grand Finals, The V8 Supercars, and Carols by Candlelight, do you get nervous before a performance?

Do you ever worry that when you open your mouth you’ll cough or get the wrong note?

I hope you’re not too nervous now?

Smaller Questions

I thought I’d test you on how much you know about “joy”.

The nature of joy

So Silvie, according to the Huffington Post, singing out loud is a way to find joy in everyday life. Is that true for you, do you get joy by singing out loud? Even on big stages?

So when did you realise you could sing?

Was there a particular performance that brought you great joy?

What is it about singing that fills you with joy?

Carols experience

You seem to particularly love singing at Carols by Candlelight. Is Carols a special show for you?

Each Christmas when you sing - you always share a little about Jesus and the message of Christmas - why is that?

Silvie’s story

Tell us your story.

What difference has having God in your heart made to your life?

American broadcaster Germany Kent once said, "Knowing God is like listening to beautiful music. His words have power. He lifts me up & soothes my soul. He makes me dance. He gives me joy." Is that your experience of knowing God?

There is clearly joy in singing, you get joy in singing, but is singing before audiences but is that enough to sustain you?

Bible - joy in the Bible

Joy is mentioned 57 times in the book of Psalms alone - so why do you think it’s a common theme in the Bible?

There are times when joy and music are connected, for example Psalm 98 - which is the inspiration for the hymn Joy to the World, the Psalmist writes,

Shout for joy to the Lord, everyone on earth.

Burst into joyful songs and make music.

Blow the trumpets. Give a blast on the ram’s horn.

Shout for joy to the Lord. He is the King.

So why do you think that the ideas of God, joy and music are often connected?

The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven once said, Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend. Is this something you experience when you sing? That music points to something greater?

Do you enjoy singing that at Christmas time?

Christmas is known as a season of joy. What brings joy for you?

In another one of these songs of the heart, in Psalm 126:4, the Psalmist writes:

The Lord has done great things for us.

And we are filled with joy.

This was the experience of the Israelites, the people of God in this Psalm. God had done great things for them in bringing them back to their land from exile and captivity. So Slivie to what extent can you sing for joy because of the great things the Lord has done for you?

It’s worth singing about?

The Psalmist writes in the context of suffering, it says in verse 5,

‘Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy’

So do you think that suffering can hamper our joy?

People don’t seem to think that you can get joy from the the Christian message - it’s a list of outdated rules which constrain you - how do you react to that?

The Big Question

So Silvie, where can I find joy?