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Despite my teasing threats to poor Mike (youngest & newest pastor on staff) I wasn't sure as the sermon ended that I'd actually blog about it. But it's been perculating around in my brain with some comments from a friend. So the big question became "Is this a topic of it's own, or just part of Breathe?" Obviously I decided it was a topic of its own.
Mike began with 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
and the question "What fuels your joy train?" He talked about the importance of FAITH being the fuel so that your "train" doesn't stop every time something bad happens in life. A joy train? Hmm, not sure I ever would have envisioned it that way, I get the point though. Do you have a joy train? What fuels yours?
After church I was blessed to have time to talk with a friend I hadn't seen in a while as I waited for my ride home. We talked about everything going on in my life (see http://www.mychurch.org/blog/21542/Breathe--just-breathe- for that) and she was very concerned that I be "real" with her about how I'm feeling. It actually made me smile and feel a bit like chuckling. Not sure you can get much more real than I've been through this journey. Then it clicked, what she is seeing and not trusting is that internal joy train, fueled by enough faith to carry me over even the hardest times. Not that those times make me feel joyful, I just know that no matter how horrible it is I am not alone. Never will be alone. THAT gives me peace, and a very quiet joy.
There were seventeen scripture references in today's sermon. Maybe eighteen, I think I missed one. It wasn't the scriptures that captured my attention though it was a quote from Karl Barth
"Joy is a defiant nevertheless."
Joy is a defiant nevertheless...
Joy is a defiant nevertheless...
never the less ...
joy
My husband is dying ...
nevertheless I will celebrate every moment we have. Even the icky, scary, frustrating, I want to strangle someone moments.
.
My heart is aching ...
nevertheless I will cling to God's hand. Even when he makes me mad.
I am exhausted ...
nevertheless I will reach out to others and do all I can to make a difference, every day.
I feel broken and can't stop crying ...
nevertheless I WILL sing out praises to the Lord with everything in my heart.
Faith is my nevertheless. It powers my train, fills my heart, comforts me, leads me ever forward. Some would say defiance is not a good trait for a Christian. In this case, I say it most assuredly is. Be defiant! When the world brings pain. When things are dark. When all seems lost. Don't give in and let your train get derailed.
23:18 For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off.
I like the wording of the NIV better "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."
That hope, a hope for the future, one that can never be cut off is where that ever so precious nevertheless comes from.
Blessed be
Virginia
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| Wow. This was really good Virginia. It really encouraged me this morning. Joy...having it in spite of everything around us. I suppose knowing Him, our joy should be complete, so it shouldn't surprise any of us when we can show joy in the midst of a trial...but it is so against our human nature to do so...this will give me something good to ponder today. Thanks. |
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Deb |
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May 28, 2007 at 7:47pm |
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| Have you heard the song "Praise You in this Storm"? It is so hard to do, but something we should be able to do, even if we don't quite feel like it. God is all we have when we come right down to it. He is what is left when everything and everyone else is gone. Amen to your blog...very good. |
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Voice - I'm not sure it's against our nature. We all use that phrase "human nature" as an excuse. We are divine creations, reflections of our creator. Each of us fully capable of choosing joy no matter what the circumstance. Unfortunately choosing otherwise is easier, far too easy in a fallen world. Choosing otherwise wins us only the passing comforts of the physical world.
Now you'll have to ponder twice :)
Deb - I haven't heard that song, like the title though! This is the one that always brings it home for me. I'd sung it once or twice and not thought about it much other that liking the feel of it. Then in March of 2006 my husband was in the ICU and not expected to live ... I left the hospital for church not knowing if he'd still be alive when I returned. The opening song for the service that day just ripped my heart out. I sobbed through the whole thing, but I sang every word. Knew then they'd be seared across my heart forever.
Blessed Be Your Name
Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name
No matter what the Lord gives me, or what he takes away ...
nevertheless
my heart WILL choose to say Lord, BLESSED BE YOUR NAME.
Joy doesn't have to be laughter, dancing, celebrating, or even smiling. Joy can be the tiny whisper of future hope that allows you to take one more step forward when you think there's nothing left. I think what makes us not feel like praising the Lord in the painful moments is as much trying to conform to the world's views of how we should act and feel in those moments.
A beautiful couple at my church sang this song at their daughter's funeral. I love that! It would never be allowed at my husband's church but if they did I'd hope that even at his funeral I could embrace those words and bless His name with everything in me. That is joy.
Blessed be,
Virginia
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Virginia
How I would love to be able to write my feelings out as you do. I admire you for your strength and courage, although I know that God is the source of that strength. My sister in law is facing the same thing as my brother is terminal. He has COPD and Pulmonary Hypertension, and is in latter stage of that, I have their picture posted from Mother's Day. She seems to be so strong, but I am sure that inside she is hurting desperatly. It helps though that my brother has accepted this and is looking forward to the day he will cross over.
I seem to be a little selfish in that department, for I would love to keep him here, but then, I am not the one who is suffering.
I pray for you and your husband.
God Bless you
Denise |
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Kathy |
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May 30, 2007 at 3:28pm |
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Powerful blog, Virginia. And the song Deb mentioned is powerful too. You can listen to it on my profile page. It's the last song listed in my playlist. |
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| Virginia, you are right that joy is a choice we chose. By being created in His image, our desire should be to be like Him in all things. Our true "human nature" should be that which was BEFORE the fall. I guess it is the fallen world, though, that gets in our way and causes us to not see the joy for the storm. Too many of us associate being happy with joy. While both often occur at the same time, it isn't always the case. Joy is and should be everlasting. Just some more ponderings on the thoughts you shared... |
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Denise - Thank you. My writing is both a gift and a deeply ingrained habit. From the time I learned to write I kept daily journals, it is far easier for me to sort through a problem of cope with emotions when I put pen to paper and let it flow that any other way. I know what you mean, I don't want to let Bill go, and I don't want him to hurt anymore either. I will whisper prayers for your brother and sister in law.
Kathy - LOL No listening to songs online for me. Am hearing impaired so that doesn't work real well. I will stop by the music store and see if I can find sheet music to look at.
VOice - I love more ponderings! :) |
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| Virginia...I needed this today. Thank you. Your life is so rich. I know you have your hands full and your heart aches often, but the wisdom you share is...well...not of this world. |  |
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(((Voice)))
I'm so glad this was there for you! I just write whatever God puts in my heart.
Blessed be my friend,
Virginia |
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