Joy. It’s a word we hear often, but do we truly understand its depth, especially in the context of our Christian faith? In a world that often equates happiness with fleeting pleasures and circumstantial successes, it’s crucial to distinguish between happiness and the enduring virtue of joy.
Happiness, as we commonly understand it, is often tied to our circumstances. Our team wins, we get a promotion, the sun shines – these can all bring us moments of happiness. But what happens when the team loses, the job gets stressful, or the clouds roll in? Happiness, being dependent on happenstance, can be fickle.
Joy, on the other hand, is something far more profound. It’s not a fleeting emotion but an abiding sense of God’s loving presence in our lives. It’s a deep-seated assurance that transcends our current circumstances, rooted in our eternal connection with God. This is the kind of joy that the Apostle Paul speaks of so frequently in his letter to the Philippians.
Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned, facing hardship and uncertainty. Yet, his words are filled with exhortations to rejoice. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” he writes, “again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). How could Paul, in his difficult situation, speak of joy? Because his joy wasn’t dependent on his circumstances. It was rooted in his unwavering faith in Christ.
This is the essence of Christian joy. It’s not about putting on a fake smile or pretending everything is okay. We feel the pain or anger of the moment. Christian joy is about recognizing God’s constant presence and love, even in the midst of trials. It’s about trusting that God is working all things for our good, even when we can’t see the bigger picture.
Christian joy is a gift, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It’s cultivated through prayer, immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and fellowship with other believers. It’s a joy that strengthens us, gives us hope, and empowers us to face whatever life throws our way.
This week, let’s reflect on the source of our joy. Is it tied to fleeting circumstances, or is it rooted in the unshakeable love of God? Let’s strive to abide in joy, allowing it to transform our lives and shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
Two previous posts on JOY from my blog
Rocks
The Super Bowl of Emotions
When my children (and now grandchildren) were small, a favorite game we played was hide-and-seek. One of us would close our eyes and count while the others scattered through the house to hide. The basement closet, the upstairs bathroom, under the bed – no room was off-limits. The seeker would search every room, look behind every door to find the hidden ones. If I was hiding, I sometimes would make special shouts – “Ookookachoo” – to help them in their search. We would all squeal with delight when the hidden were found and then a new person would close their eyes and start to count.
A young man came to my office years ago looking for help with his marriage. An older friend had recommended me because “Pastor Keller is really good at prayer.” I was surprised and a bit flattered by the recommendation but also confused. How would someone know that I was “good at prayer?” The young man clarified his friend’s recommendation, “When you pray in worship you seem to say the right phrases and words for talking to God.” The young man continued, “So I am wondering, could you pray for my marriage.” I did pray with him, asking for God to intervene and restore his marriage. A few months later I learned that his divorce was finalized.
Part of my practice on this trip was to deliberately take time in the morning to practice lovingkindness meditation, something I learned in my Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class. Jon Kabat-Zinn in his book Full Catastrophe Living describes the practice
To Savor
In my day-to-day world of ministry, my schedule can be filled with meetings, appointments and tasks. On the trail I wanted to embrace the empty schedule. To simply BE. To savor the opportunity to hike a trail surrounded by rocky peaks and steep valleys.
The second night I noticed the tag line on my freeze dried dinner – Savor The Adventure. I can honestly say I did.
As I walked I noticed that my mind kept jumping back to Minnesota, to worries about work or family. Who could I find to help with the church stewardship drive next fall? What sermon series would be helpful to the congregation? How were my children doing, each starting new work adventures? These were not “bad” thoughts, but they certainly distracted me from being centered on the present path.
As the trail began to descend from the ridge, I was surprised to be passed by a fellow solo backpacker. He was moving at a fast clip with a light pack. He had the harden look of a PCT
Pastor John Keller 