In reading C.S. Lewis’ book, “Surprised by Joy,” I came across this quote: “Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again. Apart from that, and considered only in its quality, it might almost equally well be called a particular kind of unhappiness or grief. But then it is a kind we want. I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world. But the Joy is never in our power and pleasure is.” (Lewis, 18) I disagreed. What about when we have to choose joy, in the midst of situations where it doesn’t seem rational? Isn’t it up to us to choose? The answer came through a sweet sister: “Perhaps he is saying that joy comes from outside ourselves.” That truth hits me and Paul’s experiences and letters come to mind, where he talks about joy co...
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Roots run deep. So does grace. Deeper than we often think. In “Surprised by Joy” I said: “...Grace should always be unexpected because it’s always undeserved. And grace is always reason for joy!” I didn’t realize the depth of that statement. But, God’s truth runs deep, so what can I expect? I wish I could say that I was deep within a Greek dictionary or conversing with a Bible scholar when I stumbled across this truth, but I wasn’t. Rather, it was none-other than the infamous Wikipedia! How appropriate that I would be surprised by truth from such a place, thus surprised by grace, and surprised by joy. It states [and is confirmed by more reliable sites ;)] that the Greek word for joy is “chara.” This is from the Greek word “charis,” or the grace of God. Joy is always rooted in God’s grace. Because the joy listed in Galatians 5 is the fruit of the Spirit, we know that it is His work in us that produces this joy. ...
It’s amazing the way God uses scripture to change your life. How you can read a verse a thousand times and not completely get it. How you can recite a passage over and over again, but it’s not till you’re experiencing something specific that the depth of the truth rings out... “...He has given us new birth into a living hope... ” (1 Pet 1:3) A living hope? That seems pretty big. What does that mean? Peter continues... “...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet 1:3) This living hope is made possible through Christ’s resurrection. He is our hope. From His living; our living hope. “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy .” (1 Pet 1:8) When He is the object of our hope, joy follows! Hebrews 6:18-20 reads: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for Go...
There’s a lot more theology in a coffee shop than you might think. God has a way of speaking to us right where we’re at. One night I’m hurriedly cleaning up, trying to wash the portafilters up so I can close up shop. I’m scrubbing the basket and drop it in the process. Ugghh. I pick it up, wash it again and sanitize it. And drop it again. This is ridiculous. I glance in between the fridge and the counter and can’t see it. I get down on my hands and knees to look under the fridge. Nothing. I look from the side, behind the fridge. Still no sign. Where in the world could it have gone? I stand up on my tip-toes and peer over the back of the fridge. And there that little rascal is: lodged in between two pipes, a few inches off the ground! If only we could see our life from above; from God’s perspective. What would be different? It’s in talking with a friend about hope and joy that she asks this quest...
It’s in reading Ann Voscamp’s blog “A Holy Experience” that I get that maybe I’ve been viewing some of this wrong... When I’m so overwhelmed with self pity and hopelessness, I feel like I can’t handle anyone else’s stuff. How am I supposed to bear twice the burden I already am? “Burden is only a weight when borne alone. When the burden is borne together, by a Body, the burden becomes bond — soul strengthener.” ( http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/04/when-life-burns-what-we-could-do-for-each-other/ ) But what if bearing another’s burden is actually a distribution of weight? Because you’re bearing each other’s burdens rather than trying to bear your own. So, rather than you and everyone else trying desperately to stand under the weight of their burdens, you all stand together and bear everyone’s burdens. Then when in your moments of weakness, the strength of others helps you keep standing. That’s what the Body does. I continue reading...
Surprised by joy. The title of the famous C.S. Lewis work begs a question: Really? Is that really even possible? To be surprised by joy? When nothing goes as expected: when mentors are a let-down, friends flake, usual encouragers are nowhere to be seen, and people take advantage of you. When you feel alone but don’t know why, or know why but don’t know how to explain it to others. What then? When your efforts for time with the Lord fail because you can’t stay awake and even a 10 minute drive results in dozing. What even is joy? It seems to be more than a feeling, but often result in one. It seems to be preceded by hope. But how do you hope when you’re hope-less? How do you move out of the pit when you’re stuck in your self pity and don’t want to get out? Isn’t self pity really just not believing in the goodness of God? Look at Elijah: he experiences the mighty power of God on the mountain, sees Him about to ...