Joy is not a feeling
an excerpt from something i was reading from the Ravi Zacharias ministries(couldn't find the author)...
As a result, we often move from experience to experience or church to church chasing after the wind of spiritual experience. Ritual, discipline, commitment, and structure seem impediments to growth, rather than the soil in which spiritual growth is nourished and fed. We falsely believe that spiritual transformation is like osmosis, a process over which we have little responsibility. Therefore, we are often wary of “spiritual disciplines” because we assume they engender the very boredom and routine we disdain.
Yet just as these artists expect that practice, routine, and even boredom are necessary disciplines of the creative life, so too should Christians. For spiritual practice sharpens skills and enhances our spiritual creativity. Routine and discipline are the structure in which our spiritual life flourishes and grows freely. In the gospel of John, Jesus makes this connection between art and discipline. He exhorts his followers to “abide” in him-- literally to rest and to take nourishment from the life that only Jesus can give to us (John 15:4-5). But as we abide we are told: “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:9-11). Jesus insists that abiding in him includes keeping his commands. Joy freely flows from obedience!
How ironic this statement seems when the discipline of the Christian life does not always feel joyful. Living the Christian life often feels like monotonous routine. But joy is not a feeling, nor is it dependent on the whims of our personalities. Joy flows out of a life offered to God by following Jesus. Following Jesus involves both rest and routine that are often both tedious and difficult. But as we practice discipline, we come to experience fullness of joy--joy that comes through trusting in the One who produces in art and discipline something beautiful that remains."
"Many times in our spiritual journey, we struggle with the boredom of routine. If we aren’t “feeling anything” or “getting something out of” our worship, prayer, or Scripture study, for example, then we believe that something isn’t right. But perhaps this sentiment belies a hidden disdain for the repetitive nature of discipline and routine. We see discipline as antithetical to the art of spiritual growth and freedom. We believe that since the nature of the Holy Spirit is like the wind--not knowing where it comes from or where it is going--the nature of spiritual devotion and growth is free-flowing and unbounded by discipline or structure.
As a result, we often move from experience to experience or church to church chasing after the wind of spiritual experience. Ritual, discipline, commitment, and structure seem impediments to growth, rather than the soil in which spiritual growth is nourished and fed. We falsely believe that spiritual transformation is like osmosis, a process over which we have little responsibility. Therefore, we are often wary of “spiritual disciplines” because we assume they engender the very boredom and routine we disdain.
Yet just as these artists expect that practice, routine, and even boredom are necessary disciplines of the creative life, so too should Christians. For spiritual practice sharpens skills and enhances our spiritual creativity. Routine and discipline are the structure in which our spiritual life flourishes and grows freely. In the gospel of John, Jesus makes this connection between art and discipline. He exhorts his followers to “abide” in him-- literally to rest and to take nourishment from the life that only Jesus can give to us (John 15:4-5). But as we abide we are told: “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:9-11). Jesus insists that abiding in him includes keeping his commands. Joy freely flows from obedience!
How ironic this statement seems when the discipline of the Christian life does not always feel joyful. Living the Christian life often feels like monotonous routine. But joy is not a feeling, nor is it dependent on the whims of our personalities. Joy flows out of a life offered to God by following Jesus. Following Jesus involves both rest and routine that are often both tedious and difficult. But as we practice discipline, we come to experience fullness of joy--joy that comes through trusting in the One who produces in art and discipline something beautiful that remains."
posted by liangsta at
9:41 AM
1 Comments:
Hey Jess!!
I found your blog through someone else's...and I've been so blessed by reading your posts!!
The first time I saw you since I graduated in May of 07 was at Koinonia retreat this year, and I was amazed by what God had done in you. I continued to be amazed as I saw you again at CFW. Reading your blog, I feel like I got filled in a little on how God has shown His love and grace in your life!
Soli Deo gloria!!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home