A Moment "In" Joy is Worth a Century

5/31/2022

Last year I wrote a post in which I referred to joy as a weapon, which is a peculiar way to think about joy when you stop to think about it. To clarify, I don't really consider joy to be a weapon, but I imagine the enemy does, and that makes all the difference.

Extinguishing joy is clearly a primary demonic objective of these times. The best way to counter the seemingly never-ending onslaught is to aspire to be "in" joy every day.

Being "in" joy is not merely about comforts, amusements, distractions, and pleasures. Though these things may spark or stoke joy, being "in" joy transcends the dictum to "enjoy".

At its core, I interpret being "in" joy as an exercise in thinking that leads to an interchange between the Divine and the divine within us. It presents an opportunity to commune with the very essence of the Creator and His Creation.

Above all else, joy is a testament to the reality of God and the presence of God's love. Being "in" joy is to be fully immersed in that reality and that presence, even if it lasts but a moment each day.

Every moment we spend "in" joy feels like a century to the enemy . . . which is exactly as it should be and precisely why it matters.

4 Comments

John Venlet link

6/1/2022 20:46:51

I agree that joy could be considered as kryptonite to those not inclined to take God's hand. And though living in a constant joyful state can be challenging to Christians, myself included, I attempt to focus my thoughts on the attempt to joyful living by reciting Psalm 118:24 the moment I awake each day. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Some days it is easier than others to do just that.

Francis Berger

6/1/2022 22:22:04

@ John - Even if it were possible, living in constant joy is not the purpose of our mortal lives. I certainly don't live in constant joy -- at least not in the conventional sense of the word.

The joy I'm attempting to describe is more like an awareness of living and being in Creation, even during times when we experience living and being in Creation as anything but enjoyable.

I always return to the belief that mortal life is about spiritual learning. The learning is often difficult, sometimes painful. The joy comes when we realize that even the difficult and the painful stuff serves a purpose and has relevance and meaning.

6/1/2022 22:45:13

I do not disagree with your clarification, Francis, as it more succinctly states what I was attempting to articulate. My morning recitation is my attempt to bring my mind into focus at the start of each day in my attempts to draw closer to God.

peter y connor

6/2/2022 02:40:30

Joy is the ultimate anti-demonic force, whatever its source, whether it's nature, love of another person or people, or the creation of the beautiful...

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A Moment "In" Joy is Worth a Century

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