Real Joy

When my children were small and they began pouting about something, I would tell them that they could "choose to have a happy heart" in spite of their disappointment or frustration about something. I tell my grandchildren the same thing. Not too long ago, I was a little upset myself about something, and Gordon said to me. "Do what you tell the children all the time. Choose to have a happy heart!!" Whatever you say, ALWAYS comes home to roost!!

There is a difference in joy and happiness. Joy is defined as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. As Christians we understand that our circumstances can never restrain us from achieving what we desire, an eternal relationship with God Almighty. Happiness is defined as favored by luck or fortune. It seems to me that happiness hinges on external circumstances or things, while joy relates to our response to those things. We can be joyful, even when our circumstances are difficult (we are not happy!).

There are many things in our lives that can rob us of happiness, and steal our joy. Mary Hampton in her book, Tea and Inspiration, comments on the familiar story of Mary and Martha from Lk. 10:38-42, "I would like to believe that I have a heart like Mary's, one that stops to listen to God whenever the opportunity arises. I am afraid though, that I probably come much closer to being like Martha. Hurrying about, planning, preparing, fixing, organizing, making lists and worrying. Will it all get done? "It" can be my grocery shopping, the laundry, the meal for the potluck supper later on, the Bible study lesson, my latest craft project, etc., etc., etc.
These thoughts can overtake me during church, while having my devotions, in the midst of prayer--almost anywhere, the still, small voice of the Lord can get drowned out by the shouts of living in the sunset of the twentieth century.

I still believe that the planning, preparing, fixing, and organizing is important. I believe it is important to God. After all, I am trying to be faithful to do well the tasks He has set before me. I need to remember, though, that by far the most important thing I can do is to take the time to sit at Jesus' feet and really listen."

I would like to think I too have a heart like Mary's, but I am afraid I too am more like Martha. It is my prayer too that I will be more attentive to spending time with God, to really listening to what He is trying to tell me. I can personally attest that God CAN get our attention (external circumstances). E.B. Pusey (1800-1882) wrote, "This, then is of faith, that everything, the very least, or what seems to us great, every change of the seasons, everything which touches us in mind, body, or estate, whether brought about through this outward senseless nature, or by the will of man, good or bad, is overruled to each of us by the all-holy and all-loving will of God. Whatever befalls us, however it befalls us, we must receive as the will of God. If it befalls us through man's negligence, or ill-will, or anger, still it is, in even the least circumstance, to us, the will of God. For if the least thing could happen to us without God's permission, it would be something out of God's control. God's providence or His love would not be what they are. Almighty God Himself would not be the same God; not the God whom we believe, adore, and love."

Real joy comes in knowing that in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, God is still in control of our lives. Whatever the outcome for our lives is, whether short of long (and I pray for a long life), does not change who God is, or what He is willing to do in our lives.

John Bevere in his book Honor's reward says this about circumstances: "Scripture reveals a truth that is hard to grasp: often God will send us what we need in a package we don't want. Why? To let us know He's God and we cannot second-guess Him. We cannot search for answers merely with our heads; we must seek Him and His provision with our hearts. Scripture cannot be interpreted from our limited human mental understanding. There must be a breath of the spirit of God. He alone gives wise counsel and correct application.