Joy to the World, the Lord has come, Let Earth receive her King.
Do you even understand that lyric? Of course, we know it is about the birth of Jesus Christ, but the world, then and now, is not that joy-filled. Not only that, but, we do not serve Jesus as the King of the World.
As with most things between God and humanity, there is a parting of understanding and a basic disconnect. In fact, we are in the 21st century, and it still doesn’t seem quite right.
It does sound idealistic, spiritual, and even theological, but it does not resonate as real in the life and times of human culture, then or now.
God is on a different level, a higher wavelength, a deeper depth than humans.
God has a truth, a message, and wisdom that transcends what we see, feel, touch, or, as the Scripture says, beyond what we can imagine. Yet we try to take the great mystery of the entrance of Christ, the absolute promises made to humanity, and we attempt to understand them through the natural filter of the here and now, our language, sight, and intellect. It just isn’t possible, folks.
Let’s take the Advent elements momentarily and put a descriptor word in front of the two realities already discussed and then the idea we are writing about today. In adding one word, we see an apparent factor explaining why the divine elements are trustworthy if we live by God's promise.
Unshakable Hope. “We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline” Hebrews 6.18-19
Incomprehensible Peace. “And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus…”
Paul, Philippians 4.7
Unspeakable Joy. “You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained. And that joy is full of glory.” Peter, 1 Peter 1.8
This is where you are in The Advent(ure) Season –expecting the spiritual energy and experience of joy. Not just any joy, mind you, but joy that is indescribable and filled with the very substance of God, His glory.
Many confuse or use joy and happiness as synonyms. They are not. Happiness is a response to experiences one finds pleasant, lifting, and celebratory. It is conditioned upon something happening to you, for you, or around you that affects your mood.
Joy is an internal posture that allows you to choose your demeanor, your expression, and your interaction with the world around you based on internal security, confidence, and authority.
In this, and other messages of Scripture it is clear that the life we are being challenged and summoned to is a life where the individual is living from an internal locus of control and is:
Not dependent upon their world to be at peace for them to have peace.
Not reliant on favorable circumstances to be hopeful.
Not waiting for happy moments to brim with joyfulness.
Are you adventurous enough to leave the world’s understanding and limited knowledge and trek into the divine realm of faith?
This means you do not judge by what you see or experience in everyday life, but you venture into the promises and message of God’s Kingdom to pursue life as God created it, not as it has become a trek to death and the grave. It means you believe there is no way Jesus is not about to show up, and you are confident of his goodwill and good pleasure.
Joy is present because Jesus has shown up, and it is abundant because you expect him to show up again and again in your life and for your needs because you have chosen to live by faith and not by sight.
Enjoy the Joy this Season! Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Now let him be your King and live the dominant life that says, “Father, sacred is your being in charge of my life. Your Kingdom is my home. Your will is my pleasure. Let it be on earth as in heaven!”
Merry Christmas!
Phil Underwood
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