This past week Joy was the theme for Advent. I confessed to
you that this week would be hard; Joy
does not come easy for me…or so I thought.
For a long time, I have beaten myself over the head with my
Bible, for not being more Joyful. I am saved, after all, I love Jesus, why don’t
I
feel more joyous—especially at Christmas—the season of Joy?
C.S.
Lewis taught us that Joy is not to be sought after like an “esthetic
feeling.” He explained that by seeking a feeling, we are missing knowing the
person of Christ and that we should seek Him, instead of a feeling or a “thing.”
Instead of seeking a feeling, seek God,
and He will fill us with Joy. Go hard after Him and He will fill us full of
Joy.
I
spoke about how to cultivate joy in our lives; it comes by our thanksgiving,
by cultivating a thankful heart. Thank God for all the wonderful things He has
done in our lives and everything He will do. God sent His Son to us and it was the greatest gift He ever gave; save the
crucifixion and resurrection. A
sense of Joy can easily be drowned out because sometimes life is very hard,
and it throws some very breathtaking circumstances our way; but we can drown
out the voice of discouragement and despair when we cultivate true thankfulness.
If God never gives us one more thing, sending His Son is enough to move us
to spend a life-time worshiping Him.
Spurgeon inspired us to awaken
our worship, and by it, we can practice the sacred leading of your captivity captive. “Arise Barak, and
lead thy captivity captive, the son of Abinoam”{Jdgs. 5:12. {ed. note: see also Ps.
68: 18; Eph.4:8}. Awaken your worship
and it will lead you out of the captivity of despair and discouragement.
Don’t stop seeking
God; chase after Him fervently. He will fill us with the Joy we need and long
for. It comes from a life determined to be eucharistic, more thankful; I
want to have a theology
of thanksgiving, will you join me?
To read the entire Advent Journal click here:
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