Last month my wife and I welcomed our first child into the world. As you might guess, we’re overjoyed. And then, not three days later we found out that two members of our family now have life-altering health concerns. As you might guess, we’re grieving.
This seems to be the way of life, undeniable joy holding hands with unavoidable sorrow. These recent events in our lives have certainly brought that reality to the foreground. I wonder about this bittersweet tension: what are we to do with it? I suspect most of us tether our joy to circumstance.
When the winds of favor happen to blow in our direction, when the sun is shining and you find a dollar on the ground and someone’s handing out free puppies and ice cream, then joy is right there, within arm’s reach. But as soon as the winds shift direction, joy disappears because it has no anchor deeper than happenstance. We may even be tempted to question the goodness or existence of God. Is there another way to encounter the circumstances of life that isn’t so … fickle?
As a matter of fact, there is. At least, if the letter of Philippians has anything to say to us.
Philippians was written from the apostle Paul to a beloved church while Paul was sitting in prison, waiting for a trial that could mean his death. The situation is bleak for Paul and because he cares about this church in Philippi, he pens some parting words.
“I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
Stop the presses. What’s this talk of thanksgiving and joy? Someone needs to remind Paul that the winds of favor are blowing against him. There’s no joy in a prison cell. Is there? How is that possible?
It’s possible because joy, for Paul, isn’t tethered to circumstance. His joy comes through the gift of other people that God has placed in his life. In his darkest moments, Paul remembers them and resolves to speak a word of hope into their lives, even while he struggles. Instead of focusing on his predicament, he turns his attention to blessing other people, which in turn invites into his prison cell the unlikely companion of joy.
As the letter continues, we find out that Paul can also experience genuine joy because no matter his personal circumstance, nothing can steal away the incredible Good News of how God has brought salvation to the world through Jesus. Whatever Paul’s fate, Jesus is worth rejoicing over.
I need to hear this word, especially now. My circumstances may or may not be the most joy inspiring.
And yet I can rejoice in God’s gift of salvation; I can rejoice in God’s gift to me of other people. I suspect that if I tethered my joy to these gifts, it might show up despite the circumstances.
Joshua Gorenflo and his wife, Kya, are ministers at Kenai Fellowship, Mile 8.5 on the Kenai Spur Highway. Worship is 11 a.m. on Sundays. Streamed live at kenaifellowship.com.
