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Opening Scripture: Phil 4.4-7
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon [or "is near," "is at hand"].
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Questions
1) Are you a person others would be able to call a joyful person?
2) Have you been surprised by joy lately? Explain.
3) What is joy?
4) Where does joy come from?
Comments
The heart of Christ is a heart of joy. Jesus speaks to us, as Christ spoke to his first disciples.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy in you may remain, and your joy may be full. ~ Jn 15.11 (YLT)
Joy in Christian terms is a relational bliss. The Christian does not just have joy. She rejoices in her mystical place in the Heart of Life: "rejoice in the Lord."
Bliss is a word used for a specific spiritual disposition. The word refers to “spiritual joy, heavenly rapture” and derives from the Old English Blithe. This derives from the IndoEuropean base “to shine, gleam.” Therefore blithe means “showing a cheerful, carefree disposition; lighthearted.”
Possibly "joy" is inadequate to express spiritual joy. Some modern Bible translations render "joy" by the word "happiness." But the joy, or blessedness, of the Spirit is not mere "happiness," which derives from a root associated with the idea of "that which is convenient, suits one self." Happiness is based on happenings, on circumstances, but bliss derives from the Spirit.
The Spirit of Christ wants us to go beyond experiencing joy. Jesus desires that each of his followers enjoy full joy. And this bliss is glorious and inexpressible:
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. (I Pet 1.8-9, NLT)
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“Dearest Christ, guide us to your deep heart of bliss, that we might be a living witness to others of the fairest pleasure, which is your gift to us all. We pray for the day when all humankind will drink together and in peace from the deathless springs of joy. Amen.”
Suggested Exercise
The lyrics from "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," were penned in 1661 by Martin Janus. Johann Schop, a leading musician of Europe in the 17th Century, originally composed the music. Johann Sebastian Bach rearranged it. Bach began his work on the hymn in the Christmas season 1716. The opus was performed publicly the first time July 2, 1723. It appeared as the final choral piece in one of Bach's cantatas. Recently "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" was voted in a public poll as the favorite of Bach's arrangements.
Below are the words to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Read and meditate on the message. You may choose to do lectio divina.
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.
Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.
*OneLife writings are offered by Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist pastor serving in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He writes in the spirit of John Wesley's focus on the priority of inner experience of the Triune God; scriptural holiness; ongoing sanctification; the goal of Christian perfection (or, wholeness). Brian seeks to integrate the best of the contemplative teachings of Christianity East and West, from the patristic Church to the present. Brian lives a vowed contemplative life with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in North Florida. OneLife writings are for anyone seeking to live and share love, joy, and peace in the world and in devotion to God as she or he best understands God.
*Brian's book An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, a book of poems on mystical union with God, can be ordered through major on-line booksellers or your local bookstore.
*Definitions from Webster's New World Dictionary & Thesaurus, 2005.
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