Living as Light Part 4

Joy is another way we illuminate this dark world.  As followers of Jesus the joy we experience is
complicated and counter intuitive.  Like love, joy is also a choice we make. It is a choice we make in
spite of difficult circumstances around but it also a choice we make because of wonderful events.

Let me try to illustrate these two sides of the joy coin.

Side A

 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrew 12.2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance.  - James 1:2–3

The author of Hebrews tells us Jesus chose joy as he set out to endure the cross.  James tells us in
his letter that we are to choose joy when our faith is tested. We do not naturally want to endure painful
events.  We do not naturally want to choose joy when we face testing of our faith. We live in a culture
that avoids difficulty, pain and discomfort but as followers we are called to choose to find joy.

Joy is not being happy.  Joy is not ignoring the bad to just see good.  Joy is choosing to look difficulty
and pain straight on.  We may not know what the outcome will be. Our light shines we we choose to
grow, become stronger and learn during difficult and testing times.

Next week we will look at the other side of joy.