Lean Into Joy
Have you ever asked a question that, at the moment, you wished you could retract? I have. I had just graduated from Trinity, and with a degree that had focused studies in biblical studies, theology, and psychology, I should have known better. But, there I was, at dinner sitting next to him. Who? D.A. Carson. Dr. Carson is a renowned professor, scholar, and speaker. Even today, when another pastor finds out that I went to Trinity, the first question they ask is, “Did you ever have a class with Dr. Carson?” And, I get to reply, yes, and I’ve had dinner with him! Which seems like quite the honor until I disclose what happened at dinner.
Joy is lasting, deep, and strengthening. Happiness is fleeting, temporary, and often leaves us unfulfilled.
And so, in between bites, I asked Dr. Carson, “You have had the chance to travel, speak, and teach all around the world; looking back on those opportunities, are you happy with the path that you followed the Lord in?” I should have known better than to use the word happy. The moment it came out of my mouth, I instantly regretted it but was unable to recover. Dr. Carson paused and reflected on my question, then in his usual deliberate manner, he said, “I do not consider happiness a virtue for the Christian to pursue. Joy, however, is desirable. So yes, I have found a deep sense of gratitude and joy in what the Lord has invited me into.”
All joy reminds. It is never a possession always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still ‘about to be.’ – C.S. Lewis
Dr. Carson’s words still resonate with me. He is correct; there is something fundamentally different between happiness and joy. And as Christians, we are invited into a new perspective that leans into and focuses on joy. See, joy is lasting contentment and a sense of security and identity. It is why we can have joy in the face of troubles and hardships. It is why David can write in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” David’s joy was never rooted or sourced in himself, and if we read the rest of Psalm 30, we see that joy is rooted in God. On the other hand, happiness is a feeling of pleasure that is rooted in our ability to please or satisfy our desires. Joy is lasting, deep, and strengthening. Happiness is fleeting, temporary, and often leaves us unfulfilled. C.S. Lewis describes joy this way, “All joy reminds. It is never a possession always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still ‘about to be.’” (Surprised by Joy) As Christians, what then do we find ourselves desiring that was long ago, further away, or is yet to be? Simply, a life without the brokenness and pain of sin. We long for the life of the garden, and we yearn and look forward to the time when the Lord returns, and our joy is made complete in the new creation. What is central for us is that our joy is not rooted in ourselves. It is instead rooted and made complete in Christ.
This Sunday (June 6th), we are going to start a new sermon series on 1 John. In the opening verses, we will hear John remind this group
of believers that their joy is made complete in Christ. And through Christ, we have fellowship with the Father. Their world was being turned upside down, and our world is not all that different. Let us then be like them and lean into the lasting security and contentment of joy. A joy that looks forward to a life without sin and rests confidently here and now because of who Jesus is and who we have seen him to be in our lives.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 Jn. 1:1-3)