Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down in my heart...

In college, I would often ponder the difference between happiness and joy. I've always felt that the distinction between the two is critical... and I have often thought that God promises the one, but not the other.

In the wake of hard times, I sometimes hear people (myself included) saying, "You deserve to be happy..." but do we? Somehow living in this culture we end up developing this sense of entitlement, that we deserve everything we want, that we deserve to be happy. Sadly, sometimes we interact with God that way too. We pray for the things we want because we know that's what will make us happy only to be disappointed when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we expect.

Have you ever considered the irony of the word spoiled? We're talking about spoiling in the sense of getting everything you want, but in getting everything that you want you're being spoiled, as in what happens as fruit goes bad. In other words, there's real truth to the phrase "spoiled rotten." If we were given everything we wanted and no desire was unfulfilled, where would God fit into our lives? There wouldn't be room for Him, because we wouldn't feel the need.

I would argue that standing in line for days to get the newest iPhone or spending your entire allowance on a pair of boots that you can't even wear in inclement weather (then what's the point!!) or whatever other ways we might fall into the trap of materialism, is pursuing happiness. And happiness, is fleeting. It lasts only as long as the latest fad. Joy on the other hand, transcends the momentary trials of life. True joy is a deep peace within your soul that can't be tarnished no matter what horrors the world tries to inflict on you. True joy comes from God. It is surrendering to the knowledge that you don't need to worry because He will be with you in all things and He will provide.This is part of the grace that He is constantly pouring into us; part of what brings us to overflowing, and compels us to worship Him. We can be joyful despite the circumstances of our lives because we know and trust that God will sustain us. If we know that He will always be there and our needs will always be taken care of... how can we still "not feel like it" when it comes time to worship Him? Worship grows out of that joy... and if you're not feeling particularly joyful lately, perhaps you need to take a good, hard look at why that is.

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -Jesus Christ

Oh dear, where are my manners?

To sum up the last post, worship grows out of the realization that God has poured so much love and mercy into us that we are overflowing... We literally cannot contain it. But so often we don't worship with the reckless abandon that we should. Even more often, we don't worship at all.

If worship is glorifying God and singing to Him to thank Him for what he's done... how can we NOT worship? Set aside the HUGE and OBVIOUS gift of salvation that God has offered us in sacrificing His son on the cross, for a moment... what are the somewhat less obvious blessings God has given you?

For me, having my daughter was a huge turning point in my faith. For those of you not familiar with the story of how she came to be, let me give you the cliff notes version to bring you up to speed. I found out half way through the pregnancy that I was indeed pregnant; I went to the doctor thinking I would need to get my appendix removed or something because of all sorts of crazy things going on. I was 22 at the time and after finding out that in less than four short months, I had to grow up enough to be responsible and raise another human being, to say I was terrified would be an extreme understatement. Not to mention I hadn't done any of the things pregnant women should do. I hadn't had regular doctor visits or taken pre-natal vitamins and not to mention broken like every rule about the foods I should eat and the beverages I could consume. I had never prayed or cried so much in my life. And yet... on October 22, 2010 (yes, exactly 3 years ago from today), the beautiful and amazing Phoenix Isabella Jansen was born. At 7lbs, 7.7oz., she was perfect (ironic, given the use of the #7 in the Bible often to symbolize fullness or completeness or perfection.) I have never laughed so much in my life as I have since that day and it brings tears to my eyes as I think about all the joy that that little terrifying surprise has brought into my life. And this is only ONE example on an endless list of wonderful things God has done in my life... But what about you?

Perhaps for you, it's not something so dramatic. Perhaps, you're blessed with a family that loves you, a girlfriend or boyfriend that you have a lot of fun with, a home to keep you warm as the weather grows colder, clothes to wear, food in your stomach, the freedom to practice your religion without fearing for your life or the lives of those you love... Next time you're standing in church and notice your arms are crossed or pulled tightly to your sides, consider these things. Consider the small day to day blessings that we so often take for granted. Then consider what the One who gave you all those blessings did so you could have a relationship with Him... Look at the cross. Do you know how horribly agonizing that must have been? Yet, he willingly took it FOR YOU. So don't think of worship as standing around singing some songs, think of it as saying thank you. This week, as we go into a time of worship on Sunday, think about the words you're singing. Think about their truth and consider this in the context of ALL that God has done for YOU.

Don't you think you ought to say thank you?

(Warning this video is comprised of scenes from the passion movie. It is quite gruesome, though likely quite accurate.)

Oooh, His love is like the ocean, Oooh, forever overflowing

This past Sunday at the Youth Rally I saw God's presence moving through the crowd like wildfire. People with their arms stretched out, hands lifted high, dancing to the music as they wholeheartedly worshiped. But when we worship, most of us cross our arms, and stare blankly ahead, unaffected by what is happening around us. Why? How can we just stand there and not be moved by it all? Do we even know what worship is really about?

A wise man once defined worship using this passage of scripture:
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:4,5)

The act of worship happens when our cup overflows; when God has poured so much into us that it cannot be contained.  Even when we are at our worst and the world seems to press in all around us, God blesses us  with more than we will ever need.  Even when it feels like we have nothing, even when we feel empty, the fullness of God overflows in our lives.

Consider what God has done in the single act of sending His son to die on the cross for us. This alone should be enough to fill us to overflowing and yet, we are unaffected (even though He has done so much more beyond just this.) We stand before Him unmoved, because we're not in the mood, or we don't feel like it, or it's not our thing, or we're bored. But it's not about any of these things. It's not about US; it is about who God is and what He has done for us. Worship is a decision. We must choose to recognize that God is constantly pouring His love into us and in turn, respond by calling out to Him to say thank you. It's not about the music, or some crazy light display, or what instruments are being used, or how good looking the worship leader is. It is about letting God's love wash over us and flow through us, as we thank Him for what He's done. When we worship, we're surrendering ourselves to God out of gratitude. It's in this place, in this state of surrender, that we encounter God, this is where you feel God.

And it is something worth being excited about.