How We Find Joy...

In John's telling of the story of Jesus, it seems almost like Jesus kept trying to give people reasons not to follow Him.  He had hard things to say.  He called sin out as it was.  He doesn't answer questions directly.  People were believing and He tells them they are children of the devil. 

If we look at the way Jesus shared the good news, it's not the same as the sugar-coated we-have-all-the-answers kind of presentation that we try to make it sometimes.  Jesus did have all the answers and He could have explained it - not that anyone would have understood - but He didn't.  It wasn't an intellectual debate, though it is important to be able to defend our faith to some degree. 

I want to tell the truth about following Jesus.  It doesn't make life all better in the way we would like to think.  It does make all things good in a way we can barely grasp.  Knowing that I don't have to have all answers, but that God is always in control and has the whole plan worked out encourages me to abide - stick close to Him knowing I'll fall without His hand. 

Weakness is the best strength of all.  We offer whatever feeble contribution our life will allow.  One offering in weakness leads to another and while we become more keenly aware of our shortcomings along the way, we also come into more strength that we imagined. The strength is somewhat elusive because we come to realize how weak we really are, whereas we only thought we were weak before.  Yet, we grow in strength - knowing it is not our own.  We are reminded by the sin around us that we are prone to it.  We slip into pride and judgment and we realize that we have an inclination to take credit for what's not ours. 

This is when I hope for failure. I don't want to get too far out on my own as to think I don't need Jesus.  It's why I'm afraid of success or achievement. This is how awareness of weakness is the great gift of those who are truly strong.  It seems odd to ask people to join a lifestyle of weakness.  If you want to be strong, become weak.  If you want to live, die.  If you want hope, lay down your desires.  It's all different than some would like you to believe. 

Yes, God loves and fills more than you can imagine.  But it probably doesn't come the way you think.  It's why I hope you will experience enough brokenness to be truly blessed.  There's really no other way.

This is how we find joy.

It's there, under the ashes, and it's beautiful.