Week of Joy

I loved the example shared on page 180 about the reason behind St. Francis's seeking guidance.  "He was seeking a way to open the windows of heaven to reveal the mind of Christ, and he took it as such-to the greater good of all to whom he ministered."  What an awesome encouragement, especially to our specific position in preparation to serving and being a part of God's work on the water this summer.  That our time invested now, alone, learning and growing deeper in an intense love relationship with Jesus is bringing glory to God and serving each barney, driver, trainee, fellow admin, dock hand, marina staff, random people on the water...I love and desperately need the reminder constantly that seeking guidance by the Word, by friends, mentors, and the Holy Spirit is a means of preparation and a active surrender into allowing God's work to be done through me. 

Out of the whole chapter on the discipline of celebration, the idea of obedience = joy has completely overwhelmed my melon.  The past week specifically I have been thinking and praying about freedom and joy.  The concepts of freedom and joy have been on my mind for the past few months specifically and to be honest I had begun to get a little disheartened by my continued struggle and, to me, what it seemed like no progress.  But in the past week alone, with the thought and challenge of practicing celebration on the forefront of my mind, God has prevailed! (As he always does...Thank you Lord that YOU do and I don't!) 

There are no words to fully represent the amount of joy I have experienced in celebrating the good news of the gospel over the past week!  There simply aren't, so I won't try.  All I want you friends to know is that the overall week has been a joy.  A true and honest joy!  Not out of response to the blessings in my life, although I am extremely fortunate and extremely rich in my life, not out of response to the gifts given to me by God, although I do have many, but solely out of the response of who God is.  His character was/is/and will be a reason to celebrate!  I also had the honor of watching and having a hand in a close friend choose to be obedient to a very difficult call on her heart.  The call was to have a very important conversation of truth, love, and righteous encouragement with her brother in a rehab. facility after recently being released from prison.  And friends, the joy she experienced walking away from that difficult conversation was true joy.   Obedience=joy.  Sharing in that moment of joy is something I will never forget.  The impact of withnessing her obedience is something I will not soon forget either.

From obedience comes joy.  "Only one thing will produce genuine joy, and that is obedience." (192)  From the decission to live a life of obedience to God, one may then experience true joy.

 "Joy is found in obedience.  When the power that is in Jesus reaches into our work and play and redeems them, there will be joy where once there was mourning.  To overlook this is to miss the meaning of the incarnation." (193)

Obedience = Joy. JOY. JOY!!!!

I love that Foster chose to end this study of disciplines with celebration.  What a fun way to encompass all the disciplines already studied and challenge them all into practice in my daily life.  Friends it has been such an honor to share in this study with each one of you, I value all of your time, energy, and heart put into this blog.  Thank you for sharing and I am stoked to serve alongside each one of you!