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All in Joy
The Bible also speaks of a special “leap day,” but not one that occurs only every four years; it occurs whenever one stands for faith during opposition
The apostle Paul wrote, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” (Phil 2:14-16).
Other words for “grumbling or disputing” may be used. Paul is saying that Christians ought not to be constantly complaining, arguing, muttering, and fussing. These instructions come on the heels of some other significant points Paul is making. He has already told the hearers that they are to be of the same mind and intent, doing nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but with humility of mind esteeming others as more important than self (vv. 2-4). He points to Jesus as the supreme example of this mentality, the One who, though God in the flesh, completely denies Himself and went to the cross for others (vv. 5-8).
From the title of this article, it might be surprising that I do not necessarily view optimism as a positive characteristic. Dictionary.com defines optimism in this way: “A disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.” Realistically, some events or conditions do not work out to the most favorable outcome and to expect otherwise can interfere with the appropriate way of dealing with situations. With that said, I am a strong supporter of joy, which the Bible wholeheartedly endorses as a redeeming quality that faces any situation with a trust in God. This is illustrated in the apostle Paul’s hope for the Roman Christians: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). Still, there is something about youthful optimism. As a young person looks upon his or her life to come, there is a feeling of invincibility; there is the belief that everything is going to work out for the best. While life events will alter this attitude, the feeling of optimism will typically catapult a young life in a high-energy desire to conquer the world. Every church is blessed when they have young members who have displayed such an attitude in their work for the Lord.
Surprised by Joy, a phrase from the poet Wordsworth, was the title C.S. Lewis gave to his book, published in 1955. I confess that although I bought the book in the early ‘60s, I did not read it until recently. It is the story of his conversion from Atheism to Christianity and the amazing joy that came with that conversion. This book helped me understand more the nature of joy. While Lewis had experienced moments of joy – “stabs of joy” he called them – throughout his life, he had never experienced the joy that came to him as a believer in God. His comments about the gospels are priceless. His later books: Miracles, The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain, etc., reflect the incredible joy he came to have in his ever-expanding acquaintance with God, His Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit and His plan for our eternity with Him in heaven.
