I was reading a friends blog, and her expression of the hurt in her life actually comforted me in the way that I feel less like I am the only one who feels the way I have been feeling lately. (Thanks Julie) I am beginning to realize that life is full of pain and hurt and that this part of life is inescapable. God is near during the pain if I let Him be near. However, life is full of wonderfull things as well. Wow! If anyone is reading this they are probably like, "Yikes! that person must have had her head in the clouds if she is only beginning to realize this obvious fact of life! " :) I guess I could expand on my thoughts in saying that I am learning that it is, most definately, how you decide to react to life that makes it a joyous one or a miserable one. I councelled at Simonhouse Bible Camp this year and in 'Singsperation' (Chapel) We sang this one song. It was called the glory song. It was a very funny song where these little creatures called the glories would react to everything in life with a Hallelujah!Glory! These creatures live in Jubilation wood and had bedsprings for legs so that they could keep jumping around. It was just a kids song but it was actually a very impacting song for me. You see, I really struggle with seeing the bad in life, rather than the good. Now in this kids song, the message was, Life can be misery or life can be Glory. This is completely true. Not to say that life is never miserable or hard. I dont know if I am making any sense at all because lately I cant speak very clearly.
Anyhow, this discovery was the reason I decided to call my Blog, 'Jubilation Way'. In my life, I am longing to discover the way of joy, or the Jubilation way. So far what I have discovered, in short, is that the way of Joy is a life of Christ; a life for Christ. More specifically, I am discovering that joy comes with a thankfull heart. Also, joy comes with a giving and a loving heart, and a serving heart. The one I think I need to work on most is learning to live my life with an adittude of greatfullness to God for everything He has given and done in my life. This a view that is not conducive to the North American, or just the human view that we should always want more. It has been more and more apparent to me, that being a little Christ is really not so different than being an alien to the world. In other words, being a Christian really does look much, much different than being someone who fits neatly into society. So, that is my babble for today. blahblah blah. Goodnight.
4 comments:
I am glad my random thoughts and expressions could help you...good to hear. Its amazing...1/2 a year ago I thought I had it all together, that things were right in my life, that I didn't have to worry about simple trivial things. These past months I have questioned everything I have ever been taught. I found out just how small I am...how much I don't know. I have been very humbled. Don't worry Charis, God is on your side and He has a purpose for all the things your going through now, it just might take awhile before He tells you why. I'll be praying for you!
Jules
awww...thanks. Do you have any great Bible passages you would suggest?
Opa! for the Glories Song!!
I think I was the only one who still liked that song by the end of camp.
Its good to be the boss. :)
Its encouraging to hear you talking about having joy in Christ. It is definitely something that doesn't come easy, nor does it come in abundance at all times. But when we strive for righteousness and let our affections be for God and God alone, that is when we can experience true joy.
...If only it were always just that simple.
Blessings!
Jared
Read Romans 8. One of the things I have learned and have begun to understand is that God wants me to have success...he wants me to excel. More then Conquerers!
Jules
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