Archives for August 2015
The Universe Turns On An Axis Of Joy
“I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!”
–Louise Bogan
Joy Is…
Joy is a by-product of self-forgetfulness.
Those who hunt down Joy are perpetually frustrated, but those who walk humbly, prayerfully, and gratefully with God find Joy a regular companion on their journey. Instead of chasing Joy this week, let’s simply aim to do what God asks of us in the moment: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). I think “we are able to taste a moment of eternal rest when we refuse to exalt in the self-importance of our tasks” (The Cry of the Soul).
Not an easy goal for me. What about you?
Joy Is…
Joy is picking a fight with the Devil because you can and knowing you can’t lose in the long run.
“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31).
“They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40-42).
“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father” (I John 2:13).
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:20).