This week I’m looking at Isaiah 61:1-4, which looks forward to the good things God will do for his people.
I find it easier to feel joy over what God has already done in my life than what he will do. Joy at the coming of Christ is both in a way. We already have forgiveness, peace with God, the joy that comes from feeling right on the inside.
But life can still be nasty at times. Cars break down. Our kids can be tiresome. We get sick occasionally, and, as the Bible helpfully reminds us, we’re all going to die. There's so much in our lives that seems unfinished.
Advent is about feeling joy for what hasn’t happened yet. We anticipate the coming of Christ. We look forward to his return, when all these nasty little problems (like death) will be sorted out for good.
Here’s my question: How do you experience joy over something that hasn’t happened yet?
What’s would be your message to somebody who was dealing with the worst of life—but trying to look forward to something better?
What practical things can we do to experience this kind of joy now?
In what ways has knowing Jesus brought joy to your life already?
I guess we all know what it means to be happy. Is this the same as joy?
What do you think?
Subscribe via E-mail
Lawrence W. Wilson
I am senior pastor at Fall Creek Wesleyan Church, Fishers, Ind.
I am also an avid cyclist, book lover, and devoted husband to Heather Wilson.
Twitter Updates
Labels
- Bible (1)
- Book Reviews (11)
- Christian Life (9)
- Church (10)
- Communion (1)
- Compassion (1)
- Connect (1)
- Cycling (2)
- Doors and Floors (3)
- Faith (1)
- Fall Creek (3)
- Holidays (2)
- Love (1)
- Ministry (3)
- Missions (3)
- Mortality (1)
- Personal (9)
- Prayer (4)
- Purpose (2)
- Resurrection (1)
- Social Action (1)
- Stewardship (3)
- Suffering (2)
- Temptation (1)
- Writing (3)
Archives
Copyright 2007 - 2010 by Lawrence W. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.
4 comments:
J esus
O beyed
Y ahweh
While I get bogged down in day-to-day life and all the unfinished business it indeed brings, I have to say I do live in joy because I haven't set aside "so great a salvation," as Hebrews puts it. I continue to walk in obedience, with an expectant heart looking for everyday miracles.
In our family, we've memorized a Bill Gaither children's song that said "I anticipate the inevitable, supernatural, intervention of God -- I expect a miracle!" I was terribly lost, wallowing in sin, and He chose me before the foundation of the earth. I got saved at age 30! If that can't bring me joy, nothing will.
As a former career-Army-officer-turned-at-home mom, I sometimes get discouraged that my "in box" is always overflowing; while there are very few tangible things I can point to in my "out box." But if I'm living with the hope of heaven, I can see daily "out box" examples, and that brings daily joy. For example, last week I asked my 11-year-old daughter what she wants to do when she grows up. She said "I really really want to be a mom." You could have knocked me over with a feather. THAT brought joy! To think a kid of this former feminist would REALLY REALLY want to be a mom is just a miracle.
My ending acrostic:
Just
Obey
Yeshua!
I love the accrostics! I think joy absolutely comes from obeying God. Whereas it seems that "happiness" often comes from doing what seems pleasurable to me at the moment.
My question is this: Can we gain joy from something that is yet to come? Or is that hope? I have struggled to define joy my whole life.
Is it a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment based on a secure hope in Christ? That helps me contrast it to the passing emotion of happiness. But that definition sounds like a synonym for peace.
Is it a perpetually positive attitude? If so, that leaves out all of us not-so-bubbly personalities:)
I'd love to hear more comments:)
My husband talked about something I hadn't noticed this sunday as we lit our advent candle. The Magnificat is written in past tense, as if God had done all those things, which were also a prediction of the future.
That's the crux of joy. To say God has done something when He's yet to do it, but being so certain of it that you can say it in past tense. So cool. I wish my hubby would preach again!
Thanks for all the comments here on the blog (and on Facebook & e-mail). I delivered this message today, using a number of the thoughts shared here.
It was fun to preach on joy on the same Sunday as our children's Christmas program--the place was packed with grinning rug rats and their parents, grandparents, and the like.
Advent is a time of anticipation, and we felt that today--joy at what God will do in the future.
Post a Comment