Yesterday during church I lit the third candle for Advent, the candle of JOY. It is funny how God chooses to work; he must have a sense of humor. The middle of last week was not a very joyful time for me. I was feeling tension in several of my relationships. But a couple of years ago I decided that if I was asked to participate in a service that I should do it despite what I was feeling.
The truth is, I haven't felt much "joy" this year. I am now finishing up my 10th month of unemployment. I am starting to feel the panic of money, despite the extensions for my unemployment compensation. One major car repair or illness would likely deplete my dwindling savings.
After I agreed to light the candle, I began to search online for something that might spark some thoughts on joy. After reading several things, I began to wonder if the problem was really with how I was defining joy. I wondered, "What if joy has nothing to do with my happiness?"
I came across the Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote from my previous post and it really struck something deeper inside me. There is a deeper joy that cannot be touched by anyone but God. It is not dependent on my relationships being free of tension. It is not dependent on my finding a job or having money. It is not dependent of my circumstances changing.
True JOY comes from HIM! I long to have it come and seize my mind, soul and body. I long for it to spread and burst through the closed door of my heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment