GenghisKhan44
New Member
Even in this gay* time of year, I've seen many joyless faces in the world (including my own) and read many depressing and angry posts on a forum I frequent (a few of them my own). Surely you can understand why.
It's not just the stresses of this time of year, where giving impressive gifts are more important than giving one's soul to Our Saviour. It's also life. Bad things happen, and make us feel like life is coming apart. Some of us have absolutely no direction or control in life and feel like our lives have no meaning or value. I mean, we know God values our lives, but we just can't see or feel it.
Yet Paul tells us in the Scriptures:
I am sure the rejoicing Paul refers to does not mean we are to go around acting like everything's hunky-dory and the world is built on a bed of roses when the world is has evil in it and most places and hearts are far from being anything like a bed of roses.
So, then, how are we, as Christians, supposed to live joyfully through these kinds of pain and emptiness? Essentially, what is Christian joy? What does Christian joy look like (in contrast to worldly, sugary joy)?
I pray that this Christmas season, we, too, many see God and in Him find joy in our weakest moments. Especially me.
*gay means "happy". I am reclaiming this word for happy people everywhere, darn it!
It's not just the stresses of this time of year, where giving impressive gifts are more important than giving one's soul to Our Saviour. It's also life. Bad things happen, and make us feel like life is coming apart. Some of us have absolutely no direction or control in life and feel like our lives have no meaning or value. I mean, we know God values our lives, but we just can't see or feel it.
Yet Paul tells us in the Scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (DRB) said:Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.
I am sure the rejoicing Paul refers to does not mean we are to go around acting like everything's hunky-dory and the world is built on a bed of roses when the world is has evil in it and most places and hearts are far from being anything like a bed of roses.
So, then, how are we, as Christians, supposed to live joyfully through these kinds of pain and emptiness? Essentially, what is Christian joy? What does Christian joy look like (in contrast to worldly, sugary joy)?
I pray that this Christmas season, we, too, many see God and in Him find joy in our weakest moments. Especially me.
*gay means "happy". I am reclaiming this word for happy people everywhere, darn it!
