“Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of
will.”
–Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts
All this time I thought I had to protect my joy by
controlling the things of this life- what happens and what doesn’t happen. I
kept my hand tightly closed trying to shield my joy from all that is bad in
this sin-cursed world. I plan my day and manipulate people and things so that I
can experience some joy in this day. I don’t simply take what the Lord gives
and turn upward in a whisper of thanks. That’s too simple minded, too freeing,
too… joyful. I opt to respond with complaining, self-pity, and misery. Yet, by
doing that, aren’t I killing the one thing I was seeking? Joy? Ann Voskamp writes, “Only self can kill joy… the demanding of my own
will is the singular force that smothers out joy- nothing else.”
It is my pride that shatters my joy and closes my hand in
attempt to control what in this life is good enough or orchestrated well enough
to give me joy…as if the world is here for me. I offer God a closed fist in
reply to His gifts as if they are not good enough attempting to shield my
heart and protect my joy. It is as if my prideful self is saying, “No Lord,
this is not good enough for me. I know what I need, and this is not it.” It is
a resounding “No” to His doings, His plans.
But is there light, joy, in a closed fist? Doesn’t it make
more sense that, when fists are laid open, receiving all God gives in this life with
thanksgiving, that joy, light is found? It is in surrender, in dying to
self (Luke 9:23), in humbly receiving all that God gives, good or bad with a
resounding “Yes”. It is found when the heart speaks 'Thy will be
done.' After all, who am I to label what is good and what is bad? Does
not the Lord give me what I need to make me more like Him and I then give Him
the glory He so deserves?
Romans 8:28-29 so clearly says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. For
those whom He foreknew He also predestined to
be conformed to the image of His Son.”
All that the Lord gives in this life
is with a purpose and is always and forever making me more like Jesus Christ.
Isn’t that good news? What more could I ask for? That is why, whatever I face
in life it should be with joy and thanksgiving because I know that the Lord has
purposefully brought it into my life for good and to make me more like Him. Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Only true joy is found in Jesus. Joy is not a feeling that comes when life goes
well. Joy is a choice. Paul commands: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will
say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4)
What are you choosing? I challenge you to live life with joy
by opening your hand, your heart in humble surrender to everything the Lord
gives and thanking Him for the opportunity to become more like Him.
