I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11
I started reading a book yesterday given to me by my daughter. It is about a pastor serving a church in the South Bronx in the 1980’s. The circumstances were extremely challenging and the pastor felt ill-prepared. This got me thinking about what it takes to be prepared for ministry. Not just ministry as pastor of a church, but the ministries to which each and every Christian in called. Ministry to friends, neighbors, ministries of advocacy, ministries of witness, ministries with students and strangers, ministries in health care and business. What does it take to be prepared as a Christian for the ministries to which we are called? Of course, it takes faith, and what is evidence of that faith? Joy.
Eighteenth century Puritan preacher, Jonathan Edwards, commented on discerning true religious experience from false religious experience. As a sign of the authenticity of religious experience, he recommended that we look for joy. [See Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, Nov/Dec 1993, “Good Tidings of Great Joy,” by Doris Donnelly] So true Christianity will be evidenced in joy. Joy is a key characteristic of Christian witness, according to Edwards, and according to Jesus in the Gospel of John.
In the scripture above, the Gospel of John tells us that the intent of Jesus’ ministry and teaching is to share joy, to be infused with joy, to experience joy. This is very interesting. I wonder how many Christians would say when asked about their faith or religion, “I’m a Christian because of the joy.” Or, “Christians believe in joy.” Or, “The point of Christianity is to spread joy in the world.” It’s not that Christians would disagree with these statements, but I don’t think this would be the first thing to come to mind. “Why are you a Christian?” “Because of the joy!” is not a typical conversational exchange.
In the Gospel of John, joy is mentioned seven times. So clearly, joy is important to the gospel writer. The references show us that joy is a central feature of the Christian path. Personally, I think Christianity could do with more joy and less judgment. Take some time to consider, How does your faith bring you joy? How is the joy of Jesus in you? What would a more joyful Christianity look like? How can the church embrace joy to a greater degree? What’s holding us back?
Prayer
Jesus came to bring us joy; to help us see the joy within us and in the world around us. As the light of each day shortens this time of year, may our awareness of the joy of our faith increase. Amen.
The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 