Joy, joy and more joy

"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

     Jealousy, disunity, belittling attitudes, self-centeredness, finger pointing and arrogance steal away joy. But mutual love, unity, encouragement and humility lead to a fulfilling life of joy. Would you prefer a joyful life or a joyless one?

     Even in Zimbabwe's myriad of troubles, God's joy is available to you in times of famine or feasting, drought or rainy season. I am not speaking of a tiny amount of joy, but abundant joy beyond your wildest imagination.

     But how does one get this joy when surrounded by so much suffering? The apostle Paul shows us the way from his harsh prison cell. His pastoral concern is not for a speedy release from his own incarceration. Rather, he is totally focused on the spiritual progress of his cherished friends. Paul is more worried for them than for his personal safety.

     This optimistic prisoner understood certain attitudes are spiritual joy makers. These can be cultivated with loving diligence and persistence in any and all circumstances, with the help of God. This holy joy is often powerfully experienced during times of suffering and privation, uncertainty and loss, even during times of danger and when facing death. No one can take God's joy from you.

     To experience divine joy, plant seeds of encouragement wherever you can. Water these seeds with as much love as you can muster. Celebrate your new spiritual growth and share generously with others, as your soul is nurtured and sustained by the tender and caring Spirit of God. With the Spirit's help, fertilize the soil of your heart with abundant compassion and genuine sympathy for those less fortunate.

     Diligently weed out selfish ambition and hoe away conceit. Destroy without mercy, even the smallest and most subtle tendrils of arrogance, for they sprout quickly and choke your spiritual joy.

     If you seek a joyful spiritual life, be consistently considerate and concerned for others. Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself. But do not neglect or forget your own needs, or those of your family.

     Participate whenever possible in a faith community. Strive for mutual unity, mutual love and mutual concern for others. In doing so, you will experience the bountiful harvest of God's ongoing joy in abundance. Joy, joy and more joy is yours for the asking.

     Prayer: Infuse my heart with joy, O God. Overflow my cup of joy even in the midst of suffering. Help me become a compassionate encourager to many in Zimbabwe. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
October 23, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute this reflection throughout Zimbabwe.