Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian. — G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936)
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
~Colossians 3:1-4
Wow! When the Spirit of the Lord is on you, there is a radical edge to your life. Status quo living is not an option. Simply going through the motions of being religious, moral, and upright is not enough. You have to do something with your life; something bigger than you are. It must so redirect and refocus your life that it becomes your life.
— Fredrick A. Russell
Life lessons often come hard for this writer. And surely some of you can relate. But God has taught me that real joy comes in totally “dying to self.” While the issue is deeper than this, it is at the very least: That total allowance for God’s desires, and other people’s needs to come first. We can try really hard to do this, but any self-effort is oxymoronic at best. The very “self” we use when we try to “die-to-self” on our own, keeps that old self alive in the effort! Truly, the Holy Spirit is the only one that can do this in us. We simply can’t do it ourselves. It is the work of G_d to identify us with Himself through Christ’s death on the cross.
But once this old man dies, and the new man is identified with, and alive in Christ the potential for real joy in life is revealed. It is a joy that is literally on the bleeding edge of life. ALL our desires are focused outward. Our life choices pour forth life on others and make G_d look good. We are bright and salty. Our presence cuts through the haze of life as G_d shines through us. Our lives are the hands and feet of The Word that cuts to the dividing of joints and marrow – and soul and spirit.
It is vital to note that this joy on the bleeding edge only finds its expression when my existence aligns with the order that G_d intends. i learned this acrostic as a kid at church. It is solid truth. As i am finally starting to live a real joy-filled life in Christ, i’m finding that true JOY is:
J – Jesus First. Like totally 1st… like there is no other place on the list…
J – Jesus First. Like totally 1st… like there is no other place on the list…
O – Others Second. Way behind Jesus, but way ahead of me…
Y- You Third. Me way back in third place, and simply trusting that God will provide my needs as i keep HIM first.
There is great power for living abundantly joyful lives in giving our lives away to Him for His glory and purpose.
- knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:6,7
- I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.
~Léon Henri Marie Bloy (1846–1917)
