2017: Advent Joy #2

(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)
 

SURPRISED BY JOY

1 Peter 1:8-9  (The Voice)

⁸ Although you haven’t seen Jesus, you still love Him. Although you don’t yet see Him, you do believe in Him and celebrate with a joy that is glorious and beyond words. ⁹ You are receiving the salvation of your souls as the result of your faith.

Reflection

In his book, Surprised by Joy, the Christian writer C.S. Lewis described, in semi-autobiographical terms, his faith journey; firstly the shift from atheism to theism and then his intellectual/spiritual shift from theism to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What brings you joy in life? I don’t mean superficial happiness, but deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart, the same kind of transformational change that C.S. Lewis experienced?

As a teenager interested in the world of science, I distinctly recall my faith journey from atheism to theism. I realised that scientific endeavour, while it found answers to life’s questions, could not answer all the questions. I realised that the ‘world’ of scientific discovery and reason would never fully satisfy my curiosity. A few years later, through the gentle consistent witness of a Christian family in the town where I grew up, I was led from theism to accept Jesus the Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

Like C.S Lewis, I was ‘Surprised by Joy’. Since then Christ has been my companion in life through life’s trials and struggles as well as the moments of triumph and celebration.

Praying the psalms

⁶ Crowds of disheartened people ask,
“Who can show us what is good?”
Let Your brilliant face shine upon us, O Eternal One,
that we may know the undeniable answer.

⁷ You have filled me with joy,
and happiness has risen in my heart,
great delight and unrivaled joy,
even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely.

⁸ Tonight I will sleep securely on a bed of peace
because I trust You, You alone, O Eternal One,
will keep me safe.

Psalm 4:6-8 (The Voice)