Day 4- The Kingdom of the Absurd
Today's topic is about the wonder of Joy. lol i can hear all the sniggering
Ok so anyway. You can start by asking your kids the question
Opening question: What is Joy?
Well like the book says.One of the most significant moments of Joy in the Bible is that of Sarai and how she and Abram had gotten a baby at a really really really old age. Thats like something impossible. So does that mean that only when there is a divide intervention then Joy can be attained? Well i like to think so. You will find out why later.
Well to answer the question, i first asked myself what is the difference between Happiness and Joy
Hook: Ask your kids to take out a piece of paper and write down ten things that make them happy.
It can be anything and in any order. You know... it could be anything from a good cheese burger to when a baby wraps their ting hand around your finger.
so for example mine would be:
1) Scoring a good goal in soccer
2) When someone finally understands how to solve a math problem that i have been teaching him for hours.
3) Finding something really funny on tumblr like this
Yeah so anyway if you noticed.
The things that make you happy are all temporary and they only bring you temporary happiness. One minute i scored a goal against edmund, the next moment he dribbles pass me like 5 billion times and we lose the game.
So you see Joy is something entirely different from happiness. Joy, in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. Joy is attitude of the heart. It is not necessarily based on something positive happening. Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary. When happiness fades away, joy remains. Joy is something that is bigger than you and I and our current circumstances. Joy brings us peace in the middle of a storm. Joy is something that God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit. The enemy tries everything in his power to steal your joy because it is that important. On the other hand, the enemy will tempt you with things that will temporarily give you happiness but at the same time drift you away from God.
Another thing about things that make you happy, the things that make you happy is always about you. You are at the center of things.
So why should you make that choice despite your circumstances to be joyful even if you are in a deep deep deep hole and there doesnt seem to be a way out.
1) God is always with you and is in control of the situation and has provided a way out for you.
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
2) God is making you more like Christ. Things should be for his glory.
In whatever circumstances good or bad. It should be about God not you. The question should not be God, how am i going to get out of this shit hole? It should be God, how can i glorify your name in this situation?
Romans 8: 28- 29
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."
In all thing, God can turn it around for his glory.
3) There is nothing in this world that God cannot do or cannot overcome.
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
So if in all circumstances you face, you know that God is in control, nothing can prevent him from being in control of the situation and last of all in every circumstance he can turn it around and use it to shape you to become more Christ like.
Isnt that Joy? That every single moment of your life. Can be a divine intervention.
I hoped that helped.
Alex
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