Pursue Joy

 

 

            In the novel Don’t Cry for Me, Isaac’s dying father, Jacob, writes to his son. In telling his life story, Jacob remembers when his grandmother died. His grandfather, somber and seemingly angry, did not shed a tear at the funeral. He did, however, dourly warn the gathered mourners that judgment was coming and they’d best be ready. A hard life rendered the man dour, somber, and very angry. I don’t blame the character, though I want to jump into the story and tell him that faith in the Lord Jesus is more than soberly preparing for judgment.

            Paul writes, “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness” (Galatians 5:22). Joy! ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ refers to what God produces in the life of someone full of God’s Spirit. We don’t work on being loving or joyful so much as we get to know God better. We work on aligning our lives with God’s ways and God’s purposes. We develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit produces fruit – love, joy, and the rest. The Holy Spirit produces these things in our lives.

            That said, I think a way to get to know the Spirit is to pursue joy. This fits at any time of year: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, a chilly, cloudy, gray Tuesday in February. However, focusing on joy is especially apropos in May. Summer is right around the corner. More people will be outside, soaking up the sun. Many go on vacation in the warmer months. Fun moves from being a pleasant, unexpected outcome to the purpose of the planned activity.

            It’s the fullness of time for going deep into God’s heart in pursuit of joy. This happens in a thousand ways, in as many places as you can imagine; sharing coffee with a friend in a café; a morning walk in the woods; lingering as you admire a sunset; writing poetry; leaning into the positive feelings certain colors produce in you; having your breath taken away as you take in the view from a mountain top; meeting fellow Christ-followers from another part of the world; feeling God’s pleasure as you spend time praying for someone you love; the list could go on.

            It’s hard to imagine the joyless faith Jacob displayed as something connected to a God whose Holy Spirit is manifested in joy in the lives of believers. We realize how God carries us through life as we get to know God better. We get to know God better as we walk in and feel the joy God pours into us to overflowing.

            Yes, the Bible mentions judgment often. The word rejoice comes up a lot too. As summer blossoms, my Christian friend, pursue joy. You will feel God’s arms wrapped around you and the warmth of God’s smile with the happiness that come to your life. And, you’ll be ready for the judgment Jacob feared, whenever it comes.