Perspective.
It’s usually the little things that make me happy. Like today when I found two sweaters at Ann Taylor on sale… a black one for $14.99 and a pink one for $29.99 (both marked down from $80.00)! Or how about when a friend from the old Guild Board im’d me to say she had Jason Harrod in her living room? Those are two prime examples of little things that make me feel good.
Sometimes it’s the HUGE things that make me happy. The Boston Red Sox are 6 outs away from being World Series Champions! Ahhhhh! Happiness abounds.
Still, in the midst of happiness, certain questions come to mind. Happiness is wonderful, and a good thing to wish for… but why, oh why, do I so often wish for happiness and not for Joy? Happiness doesn’t last. Happiness fades away. (Watch me spill something on my new pink sweater tomorrow. Seriously. I have a problem.) Does Joy also fade, or is it something I can possess always? If I’m not feeling Joy at the moment, does it still exist within me, lurking, waiting for me to remember it?
When the Red Sox win (please please please) I will be so excited. So happy. But it won’t be enough. I want Joy. It’s embarrassing to admit that I spent more time these last few weeks talking and thinking about the World Series then I spent in the last few months talking and thinking about Jesus.
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That hits home.
I wish I knew the answer to your questions…but, truth be told, I’m seeking those same answers myself. (If you find them…do a poor boy a favor, and point the way to the answers, wouldya?)
As far as your witness goes…Kat I really don’t know you or your husband well at all; but just based on what little I do know of you, when I think of a Christlike couple, I more often than not think of the Reillys.
I don’t know the answers either… but your last paragraph prompts me to re-evaluate those things in life that I think about more than Christ. Thank you.
Kat…that is something my team and I have been discussing lately is “joy”. Many of the pastors and church planters in Ireland have lost their joy for Jesus and in spreading the gospel. So I do believe that joy can be lost. However…it can be made new!! Especially in knowing, not only that our joy comes from Jesus but that our joy IS Jesus! Here’s a little scripture for you showing Jesus’ perfect example of joy…
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Mr. Panda… thanks.
And Chrissy, if you were a man, you would be DA MAN! Seriously. Thanks for being a good sister!
And you’re welcome, Michelle!
“Or how about when a friend from the old Guild Board im’d me to say she had Jason Harrod in her living room?”
That made me laugh out loud at work. Sounds like I kidnapped him or something…
Hi,
Just happened upon your “stuff” here. I bet you TALK about Him more than you realize. How many times a day do you try to be kind, charitible, forgiving, compassionate…you know the drill. Now, how many times a day do you try to assist, help or influnence others to do the same. Isn’t that talking about Jesus? Isn’t it our acts that speak much much louder than words. Words don’t mean a whole lot, they are only there so we can communicate action and intention. Though I’m a cardinal fan. You should enjoy the worldly things He has set before you. All of it. Even the stuff you don’t like since He allowed it. When that is done, then there is eternal joy.
sharon