This week marks the half-way point of our foray into Advent posts. As we often say, “Where does the time go?” Or maybe, as children say this time of year, “Will Christmas EVER get here?” I find myself vacillating between those two sentiments. With perhaps a “Can’t we just get to January?” thrown in now and then!
Today we take a look at the third candle representing JOY. A part of me didn’t want to tackle this subject because it can be one of the most difficult sentiments to achieve if you’re grieving a loss. But since I talk all the time about joy and sorrow co-existing, I have no excuse but to dive into it with both feet.
One of the things that can make the holidays so difficult for grieving people is that we are surrounded by reminders and even exhortations to be joyful. Virtually every Christmas song, religious or secular, talks about this joyful season. Often, they are just reminders of what we’ve lost.
The gift-buying, wrapping, decorating, baking, singing and perhaps gatherings with family are all supposed to provide us that extra boost of joy. Certainly there is joy to be found in those age-old traditions of our holidays. And I would encourage all of us, and especially those of us grieving a loss, to look extra closely at where we can find that joy.
But chances are all those activities are limited or curtailed altogether this year. Sigh… We all feel the loss of that, don’t we? So yes, it will take some effort and intentionality on our parts to see the joy that might be a bit disguised in 2020.
I think we all know what it feels like to have high expectations for “joy” only to be disappointed in the aftermath. So I must ask the question of us all – “In what have we put our expectations for joy?” Was it that decorating-baking-singing list I just mentioned? If so, joy may not have shined as brightly as you hoped.
As with so much in this life and in this season, we must dig deeper for a more permanent source of our joy.
Many of us are familiar with the phrase, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” It sounds lovely, doesn’t it? But let’s look at the context of that phrase and see what lessons can be learned.
In Nehemiah 8:10, we read, “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’”
Ezra, the scribe, had just read God’s Word to the people of Israel, who I might reminder you, didn’t have a great track record of being obedient to God. But this reading of His Word touched their hearts to the point of deeper understanding, and sorrow over their sins and subsequent repentance. That is an absolutely appropriate response for any of us when we understand how we fall short of what God wants for us.
But rather than allowing them to have a pity party because of this realization, he tells them to go enjoy some wonderful things because “the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
It’s a joy produced by the understanding that our God is gracious and forgiving to us despite our long histories of going our own ways and disregarding what He wants for our lives. I am humbled, and I will now add JOYFUL to the mix, when I think of all the times I’ve failed to live the life God wants for me. All the times I’ve sinned inwardly and outwardly. God forgives me again and again and again…forever.
That’s a joy that can surpass anything resulting from our earthly experiences.
Is that knowledge enough to fill you with that joy? Maybe. Maybe not. So, here’s one more nugget to help you.
“The joy of the Lord” could also be stated as “the Lord’s joy.” Our human attempts at reaching soul-quenching joy will often fall short. But, as believers, we have access to the Lord’s joy. HIS joy is always enough and can be found through the fruit of the Spirit. You know the list: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We can attain NONE of those to any great degree on our own. But asking God to give us HIS JOY will be the only way to experience lasting joy.
As with most everything we must learn about God in this life, this too is not a one-and-done deal. It’s a continual asking, because it isn’t necessarily our nature to be joyful all the time! So don’t be discouraged if you feel filled with “the joy of the Lord” one minute, and are down-hearted the next. God isn’t going anywhere. Ask him again, and keep asking because He wants to fill you with His joy, not just during a difficult holiday season, but for eternity.
Now go sing those Christmas carols about joy, with a renewed understanding and gratefulness to God!
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11