|
|
|
|
Essay 47 The Joy of Saint
St. Francis once said this; “Who is the worker unto God? Do they sing? Or by singing they raise the feelings of people around themselves in spirit?” Francis often did cry, but had sung many happy praises as well.
In Jesus says he is the grape tree and that we are the vine and that by following the command given by him, would “this is so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11)” The command given by Jesus is of course, of love by following the example given by Jesus. Therefore the root of joy is following the love that Jesus taught us, and to loving each other and remember it.
In Philippians, many times there is the passage saying, “Rejoice”. Apostle Paul tells us that by “being in joy with the Lord” you are being joyous in spirit. It is the joy that Christians only get through believing. In the experiencing with belief, if the feeling of “joy” is left out, it is not. There is no way to tell how far, wide, and deep is the person has in their faith. As mentioned above, spiritual joy is different from natural joy. Natural joy is the essence of when something is all in right condition to the person that wants it, such as when you are able to achieve something. Such examples are money, good house, or having the right degree and fame, or of when being cured from disease. When the good conditions are met, then there is expression of joy.
But spiritual joy is different. The joy is to be expressed no matter how good or bad the situation is. The reason why we are able to have joy in any situation is because our Lord changes our point of view in our thoughts, and of the meanings of life.
Why does being of this faith bring joy?
When one has a belief into the Lord, instead of living like without a parent, our life becomes one with the Lord, and the certainty of the Lord being our Father and loving us becomes clear through faith. When there is certainty of that belief, and act according to the love, then there is joy.
Also, by having faith, our view of the world becomes higher, being able to see the world in bigger perspective exercised- in God. By having that view point, many things that are of pain can turn instead into joy in our lives.
Finally, through having this spiritual experience, there is the experience of getting saved, that is, to be healed in spirit and of the body. From the darkness there is light, and what once was incomplete becomes whole. From ignorant to wise, and by being saved from sin there is ultimate joy. With that in mind, wouldn’t you always have joy in spirit?
“Rejoice Always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Of Spiritual Freshness 
The Joy of Saint