Surprised by Joy

[Van]

Spoiler alert, I have not read the C. S. Lewis autobiography of the same name. But the concept is profound.

We all start out as unbelievers, and then some of us come to our senses and put our trust and devotion upon Christ Jesus.

But let us back up to before we committed to Christ, when we were, so to speak atheists by nature. Our world was bleak, for if there is no God, life is rather pointless. Life's purpose, to prolong and promote life, makes little sense, if life arose from happenstance, an accident of nature.

In Matthew 2:10, some well heeled travelers saw a star in the sky and rejoiced with great joy.

Finding a treasure in our bleak world brings joy. Receiving a gift we really really need brings great joy.

When we arrive in heaven, we look forward to entering the joy of our Lord and Master.

But what makes the idea of being surprised by joy, is the gift's influence on our everyday lives. We probably did not expect how our inner joy would turn our bleak world into our treasured field, where God's grace is sufficient for us, as we pour out of lives for Christ.

Joy to the World, the Lord has come.

 

[JonC]

Very good book...but it's been so long since I read it all I can remember is liking the book. I need to read it again.

 

[Van]

Very good book...but it's been so long since I read it all I can remember is liking the book. I need to read it again.

I have taken in a more recent biography, "The Narnian" by Alan Jacobs. I found it stocked with enlightening ideas and viewpoints.

 

[JonC]

I have taken in a more recent biography, "The Narnian" by Alan Jacobs. I found it stocked with enlightening ideas and viewpoints.

I'll have to check that out.

 

[Van]

Those that learned that Jesus has left the tomb had great joy. Matthew 28:8

 

[Van]

Zechariah had great joy where he learned his future son, John the Baptist, would turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord.

Evangelism should bring us joy, just to have the opportunity to contribute to the ministry of reconciliation, just as reconciliation brings joy in heaven.

 

[Van]

The good news, the gospel, is the good news of great joy.

 

[Van]

When one sinner repents, that produces joy in the presence of the angels of God.

 

[Van]

I think most of us have heard that great Easter story, of its Saturday, but Sunday is coming. Those that witnessed Christ suffering and dying on the cross, and saw Him dead, and placed in a tomb, were grieving. And their faith was threatened, was Jesus really who He said, and would He do what He said to provide our basis for complete faith? He died on Friday, and now in grief, it is Saturday. But Sunday is coming. And the grief will be turned into joy. Will we be ready, or will we be surprised?

 

[kyredneck]

Those that learned that Jesus has left the tomb had great joy. Matthew 28:8

Heart burn:
27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
32 And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? Lu 24

162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil. Ps 119

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Neh 8

 

[kyredneck]

The Joy Of The Lord

 

[Deacon]

I just started a book yesterday on the friendship between C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien called,
A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte (2015)

It describes how many that survived the horrors of the trenches in WW1 were usually damaged goods, disillusioned by the evil they experienced.
The friendship between the two helped both them and provoked them to look at the world quite differently;
Joy through suffering.

Rob