Has anyone ever
stolen your joy? This past week in the United States—more specifically Southern
California—a couple of people tried to steal and obliterate the collective joy
of a city, of a state, of a nation, and maybe, of the world. They also tried to
steal the personal joy of wives, husbands, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers,
fiancées, lovers, friends and co-workers. Were they successful? If one
survivor’s words are a measure of their success, then I think they failed
miserably.
The daughter of one of the victims
held a sign that was photographed and witnessed on news services across the nation.
It read: Do not let the actions of others rob you of your joy.
Standing next to her father, the
young woman spoke eloquently about the positive life her mother led, her
servant’s heart and joyful attitude, and how she, herself—to honor her mother—planned
to continue living that kind of life. The story became even more poignant when
we learned that her mother had come to the United States in order to escape
religious extremism in her native Iran. While I am sure her daughter is
grieving deeply, she seems determined to not allow this unconscionable act of
violence that has invaded and violated her heart and home from stealing her joy.
The joy that must surely reside deeply within her soul.
The widow of another victim—a
Messianic Jew who evidently loved lively discussions and debates about all
things religious—said she would also be sustained by his memory and the way he
lived life.
Clearly, these two grievers are not
grieving without hope.
When events like this occur, they
force us to honestly examine our internal worldview. How we observe, process
and analyze the world’s events. What we believe about people in general and
believe about ourselves in specifics. Most importantly, what we believe about
God.
Do these events completely surprise
you or rock your world and worldview? Or do they serve to bolster your faith and
resolve to stand firm to not let evil invade your heart and steal your joy,
even though it may bring you to your knees?
My pastor, Dr. Mark Lansberry had
something to say about this last week, in reference to Advent, and before the
tragic events in San Bernardino.
“There is greater reality than our
shadows. [Jesus] lives within us in the form and power of the Holy Spirit. Our
reality is Christ, and Him coming again. The Son of Man has come, is coming,
and will come again.
“Take note of the gathering shadows.
He is right at the door. Christ comes to dispel shadows. Our hope is in Christ,
and Christ doesn’t disappoint.”
“Advent is about God who comes to us
in our shadows. Look out the windows of life for Christ to come. We are to be
alert, keep on watch. Stay awake!”
Pastor Mark compared it to the
attitude of joy a child has when watching through the windows and waiting for
his mom or dad to return home. He’s watching and waiting, waiting and watching.
Expectantly; with hope and a joyful heart that his expectant heart will soon be
satisfied.
In these last days, we live in a
multitude of shadows. Our own shadows dog us, and we watch hideous, frightful
shadows materialize all around the world.
Through it all, we who possess Hope,
Truth and Life watch and wait, wait and watch, with an attitude of joy that—if
we stand firm—cannot and will not be
stolen from us, even though another person attempts to rip it from our hearts
and souls.
This Advent we celebrate both the
original birth of Joy, the existence of Joy in our own hearts, and the future
return of Joy to Earth.
Joy has come, is coming, and will
come again!
Jesus—Joy itself—had something to
say about tribulation. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world.”
Or as it reads so bluntly in The
Message: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable
and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to
experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
This Advent season, make yourself a
vessel of joy, and let that joy spill out onto others. Search for joy; latch
onto it when you find it. Claim it as your own. Nurture and cherish it. Display
it in the face of evil. And watch and wait for it to come again.
________________________________________
Next week we’ll
return to a more light-hearted look at joy.
Until next week,
Thanks for
joining me!
Blessings,
Andrea
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