Choosing Joy.

So, I'm not really much of a blogger, but I do enjoy blabbing on for few paragraphs every once in a while! As I use this blog to reflect on what God is teaching me, it will likely serve more as an encouragement to me than those who read it, but perhaps it will uplift or challenge someone else too! Anyway, I invite you (whoever ends up reading this) to join me in my pursuit of Christ. Together "... let us throw off everything that hinders... and run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Heb 12: 1)

Recently, God has also been teaching me about the beauty of prayer, specifically with the idea of praying "through" circumstances rather than "against" them, in some cases. Now, I don't really know if this distinction is hugely important, but I think there's something there...As I often focus on praying "against" things I personally don't want to happen (which is not necessarily wrong, especially in the case of spiritual warfare), God's been challenging me to trust Him completely and pray "through" situations, knowing that He will be the one to carry me through. It kind of goes along with the idea of "choosing joy," which He's constantly challenging me to do! Rather than thinking, "if only I can just make it until Friday/Spring Break/Summer/post-university... and then I'll have joy..." why not choose joy now? 

Well, is joy really a choice?

Yes, and No...

Joy is clearly an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), so it's tempting to answer with "no." But, I think we first need to answer the question, is living by the Holy Spirit a choice? 

When Paul is discussing the Holy Spirit in Romans 8, he says, "you, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (vs 9). This would indicate the Holy Spirit has control over a person once he commits to following Jesus and received empowerment from the Holy Spirit, thus seemingly answering the question is living by the Spirit a choice with "no." However, we all know how important context is; we must look at the rest of the Romans 8 passage! 

As we continue reading, we see Paul has set up a couple different scenarios: you either live according to the sinful nature or live according to what the Spirit desires (vs 5). Later in verse 12, Paul explicitly address Christians and says, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live..." which (with the use of "if") implies a choice. The author of Hebrews also seems to indicate living in accordance with the Spirit is a choice when he says, "let us throw of everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..." (12:1). Jesus also urges one to "deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23), again implying an active decision must me made (a choice!). 

So, after looking at these verses, it sounds like as a follower if Jesus, I have the choice to allow His Spirit complete control of my life or not, answering the first question (is living by the Holy Spirit a choice?) "yes." If we apply this answer a step further in regards to joy, again I believe joy is a choice. Because God allows us to choose whether or not we walk by the Spirit, why wouldn't he allow us to choose whether we allow the Holy Spirit to pour out of us or not? Now, I'm not saying that all of the sudden everything will be peachy just because we're walking by the Spirit and choosing joy. Things can be rough, but we can rest knowing God is near.

This idea leads me to one of my favorite verses- Psalm 46:10 ("be still and know that I am God"). Now, I’ve always heard this verse and have pictured myself sitting my a placid stream, surrounded by sunshine and daisies, with a light breeze swirling around my flowing locks of hair. However, this is most certainly not the context of the verse! It actually occurs right in the middle of the Psalmist describing intense events such as mountains falling, waters raging, and nations in uproar... not serene landscape and moments of peace. Furthermore, it is in these times we can be still and KNOW God is God and He will be exalted. I can’t think of anything that brings me more joy than knowing God and reflecting on who he is and how much he loves me- and this choice can be made even in the most tumultuous situations!

So today, I choose joy. Not happiness, prosperity, comfort... but joy: pure delight in the character of my Lord!