Surprised by Joy

Oxford professor and apologist, C.S. Lewis, wrote that at the moment of his conversion he was amazed to discover there is a God. Interestingly, he said what surprised him most about his newly discovered Christian faith was the joy. In his autobiographical account of his conversion Surprised by Joy Lewis said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven…all His biddings are joy.”

English novelist and journalist, G.K. Chesterton, a Christian influence to C.S. Lewis (and J.R.R. Tolkien, writer of Lord of the Rings), spoke of his own discovery of joy in the Christian experience: “Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian.”

What these influential men claimed is consistent with what Jesus promised, “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus said to His disciples, “These things have I said to you that your joy might be complete” (John 15:11).
 
I say this to remind us, as Christ followers, of the possibility of joy daily in our human experience. The Apostle Paul underscores this thought when he writes, “Be joyful always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Though this is the shortest verse in the Bible (in the Greek text), it does not lessen its importance. The verse reinforces the idea, found several places in the New Testament, that joy is possible for the Christian every day.
 
Keep in mind that the scriptural view of joy is far different from the cultural view of happiness. The word “happy” comes from the root word “hap” which means “luck” or “circumstance.” So happiness depends on circumstances. I am happy because things are going my way. But what if things are not going my way? That is why joy is so important. Joy is deeper! Joy comes from within and is not dependent on outward circumstances.

The good news of the New Testament is that we have the capacity for joy in daily living as Christians even when circumstances turn against us. Paul said in Romans 5:1-5 that we can rejoice even in our sufferings for we know God is using adversity to bring about a greater purpose. Equally true is that, in the midst of it all, His love is being poured out in us. We learn in the Christian experience that we can still rejoice with great hope and confidence even in times of suffering through our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Joy means that I am able to enjoy life in spite of problems because of the perspective and grace that Jesus brings to my life.

We have the capacity for joy in every circumstance, but we also have the responsibility for joy in every circumstance. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter from prison on the theme of joy and in it he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). These are commands in the original language.  Therefore, we are responsible to make the choice to rejoice.

For most of us, a joyful response to life’s daily grind does not come naturally. So we have to work on developing this character trait purposefully. Joy is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.  

So where do we begin?  My suggestion is start by practicing daily rejoicing and thanksgiving at the beginning and ending of each day. Also, let rejoicing and thanksgiving find its way into conversations with people to whom you interact in daily living. You may be surprised how it will energize you and the person who hears your positive response to life.
   
Joy is not too difficult of a command from our Lord as long as we make the deliberate choice daily of depending on Him who is the source of our joy. Let’s begin to do this today…joyfully!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron