half-expect fire and brimstone to be in the forecast. It seems that it should be “time’s up” for
the world’s silliness aka spiritual
degradation to the nth degree.
I cannot help but wonder why God is holding back. He is so
very patient with us. It would seem that we have more than earned some chastisements.
very patient with us. It would seem that we have more than earned some chastisements.
I know that we are all in this together—sheep, goats and
every animal in between. It’s just so
disheartening that many are behaving like animals. Yeah, I know that such a statement leaves me vulnerable to finger pointing at the big, bad,
judgmental, bigot, but things have changed since my childhood. My blueprint for how to get to heaven is being trampled on and ridiculed. One day, being Christian was a good thing and the next,
suddenly we are labeled a danger to our fellow man. We are the good guys; the ones following Jesus. That used to be a
good thing—at least in this country–but now people hate us for it.
When I was a little girl and heard about the Lion’s Dens,
prisons, and persecution for Christians, I could tell myself that I would be
willing to be a martyr if I lived back then without having to follow-through on
it. But now, opportunity for Christian
courage abounds. One thing you may not have considered, however, is that joy is part
of the deal.
prisons, and persecution for Christians, I could tell myself that I would be
willing to be a martyr if I lived back then without having to follow-through on
it. But now, opportunity for Christian
courage abounds. One thing you may not have considered, however, is that joy is part
of the deal.
Take the martyrs. Which ones shook their fists and yelled, “You’re
going to be sorry for this!” as they faced their executioners? Not a one. Thomas More, Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII,
was sentenced to death for not publically supporting the King’s divorce and
remarriage outside the Church. He was light-hearted and ended his life with a
joke, telling the axman “Please
do not chop my beard in two; it
has not committed treason.”
going to be sorry for this!” as they faced their executioners? Not a one. Thomas More, Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII,
was sentenced to death for not publically supporting the King’s divorce and
remarriage outside the Church. He was light-hearted and ended his life with a
joke, telling the axman “Please
do not chop my beard in two; it
has not committed treason.”
Not all saints joked their way to
their executions, but all were known as rejoicing in the Lord. That is where we can find our own joy; in the
Lord. There are no glum saints. While being joyful is a stretch on
some days, it seems that the secret of the saints’ composure under fire and
ability to find joy is that they had the peace of Christ in their hearts.
their executions, but all were known as rejoicing in the Lord. That is where we can find our own joy; in the
Lord. There are no glum saints. While being joyful is a stretch on
some days, it seems that the secret of the saints’ composure under fire and
ability to find joy is that they had the peace of Christ in their hearts.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace
I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid” (John
14:27).
I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid” (John
14:27).
Peace is a good starting point because a troubled heart cannot
be a joyful one. And people, who are at
peace exude a quiet joy. “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the
field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12)
be a joyful one. And people, who are at
peace exude a quiet joy. “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the
field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12)
If instead of peace and joy, Christians show anger and fear,
it would not seem that we have the truth.
But we do and the best way to spread it is with joy. Mother Teresa once said: “Joy is prayer – Joy is strength – Joy is love – Joy is a net of love by
which you can catch souls.”
it would not seem that we have the truth.
But we do and the best way to spread it is with joy. Mother Teresa once said: “Joy is prayer – Joy is strength – Joy is love – Joy is a net of love by
which you can catch souls.”
So, I offer
the joyful challenge; to be joyful and spread the Good News to the entire world
through your example of what it means to be a Christian. We have the truth, that is enough to fill our hearts with joy.
the joyful challenge; to be joyful and spread the Good News to the entire world
through your example of what it means to be a Christian. We have the truth, that is enough to fill our hearts with joy.
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Follow Patti at Twitter or like her Facebook pages at Dear God Books , Big Hearted Families, and A GPS Guide to Heaven and Earth Her latest books have just been released this spring: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families and Dear God, I Don’t Get It.
