This weather brings me joy!

Nehemiah 8:9-12

1.     What is one place in God’s creation that gives you a profound sense that God is a joyful God and the happiest of all beings in the universe?

Having never thought of it before, the first thing that comes to mind is – DOGS. And now I look on to the second part of the question and realize that the question is WHERE and not WHAT. I sit here trying to think of a place that when I am there I am filled with joy. A place perhaps that I go back to. I got nothing. How awful.

But I’m listening to the wild wind outside and the occasional thunder and am reminded that I LOVE thunderstorms and extreme weather. From a young age, when everyone else was taking cover, my dad was taking me out on the front porch. Yes, I’m having a hard time figuring out how dangerous weather could reveal a joyful God, but it DOES give ME joy …

On further reflection, the weather is reminiscent of a toddler wreaking havoc upon his room … There is an element of joyful abandon and utter disregard for others reactions. The toddler is in the moment doing what pleases him most. And wouldn’t I be happy to have lightning bolts at my fingertips?

When you are in this place, how is his joy passed on to you?

His joy is passed on to me through the wind in my hair, buffeting me about. His joy is passed on through the big sloppy raindrops or buckets sloshed upon me. His joy is passed on through the puddles we can jump in or kick through. His joy is passed on through the rushing flood waters headed to the gutter. His joy is passed on through the sprays of water my tires aim at the helpless walkers. His joy is passed on to me through the profound colors displayed in the sky that point towards something big on the move. Hi joy is passed on to be through the booming thunder and the brilliant light show. God really knows how to display His might.

How does living in the joy of the Lord bring strength to you?

It is evidence of the strength that holds me up, that is behind me, under me, through me, around me. It is evidence of His love for me that He would fill me with awe of His nature. It is His lullaby to me to remind me that I need rest and that He cares enough to demand it of this wayward child.

2.    Describe a time when life circumstances brought you unexpected joy.

Let’s say I knew OF a person most of my life. Let’s say from at least high school on. But I never KNEW that person. The more I witnessed this person as an adult, the more I admired this person. And the more I felt “not good enough” to be around this person. The more I saw of this person with their family, the more I loved their “goodness”.

Then we were unexpectedly thrown together in a way that demanded that we understood each other quickly. Sink or swim. Without this person, it would have been sink and sink fast with an enormous rock. With this person, it was more like soaring than swimming.

What I discovered was that we were very much alike and at the same time we were very different, but uniquely created. And we were a complement. I am more amazed by this person today than I ever was before and I know some of their faults and weaknesses, but this person’s strengths far surpass what I had anticipated.

And this person brings me such joy. I am amazed in the creation that God has placed before me. It was like He gave me a window into how He achieves His purposes.

What are some practical things we can do to seek joy on a more regular basis?

We can choose to spend time with the people who add to our joy rather than detract from it. When we get the opportunity, we should turn aside and grab it.

We can go to the places that bring us joy especially when our joy has been drained.

We should choose to do things that bring us joy every day. We should balance the stressful tasks of the day with some joyful ones. They shouldn’t be left for at the end of the day IF there is time left. Time must be set aside for them.

We should start each day in joy and put our best foot forward. When our joy is snatched away, we should take the time, in the moment, to find it and put it back on.

3.    Read the quote from Dallas Willard on page 66. Willard is making two points. First, when we are joy-filled, we are less likely to be drawn into temptation. Second, when we are joy-deprived, we are more likely to fall into temptation. How have you experienced these two principles in your life?

This was one of those a-ha moments. I was bowled over for sure. It’s smack-dab, right-on and I’d never considered it in this way before.

Back to a previous analogy: shopping.

When I’m happy and have a lot going on and I feel vital and necessary in some way. Like I could disappear and someone would actually notice in time to save me … I’m so full of joy that I don’t even realize I’m being driven by such things. And I’m content.

When I’m depressed and not feeling very useful to anyone, but maybe more particularly – used. And I’m relatively certain no one would notice that I was gone until they needed something. Well then I’m in a state of discontent and it doesn’t always work, but sometimes it helps to shop.

As long as I’m happily busy, or is that busily happy? I am not tempted to spend money on myself in order to feel better. As soon as I’m not feeling my usual happy self, I must need something to perk me up.

If my time won’t be used for the good of others, then I’ll use it for the good of me. And there’s the rub. Why can’t I use my own time for the good of others … Where did I get my faulty thinking?

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh
but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV)