Smile, God loves you!
Be happy, be optimistic, be positive!
The Christian community frequently asserts these traits in such a strong manner that I could almost construe them as necessary conditions for salvation.
but what if our lives were different...
I tend to believe that joy and suffering are so intertwined that we cannot have one without the other. Furthermore, to the degree we feel the one, we will certainly feel the other.
Imagine a pendulum swinging. Raise it high on one side, and when you let it go, it will swing equally high on the other.
Now imagine moving it slightly to one side; when released, it will only move slightly to the other side.
I like to think of our range of emotions in this manner - the more I suffer, the more I'll be joyful. The more joy I feel, the more I'll recognize my suffering.
I also like the analogy of seeing our emotions as varying colors on a painter's palette. If I only have a "slightly swinging pendulum" of limited and moderate emotions/colors, a picture could be painted of my life. But imagine a canvas covered in a myriad of intense, vibrant "colors."
With this, my life could be a masterpiece.
to be cont'd...
5 comments:
I have always loved how you embrace the range of emotions you feel. The idea of being real with one's emotions and what a beautiful life it can produce is an idea you have helped instill in me.
But I am confused by the idea (which I felt was implied) that suffering is something we should seek after. Did I misinterpret? I look forward to the continuation of your thoughts.
I miss you guys!
Is joy and despair really opposites of each other? Augustine said where there is despair, let me find hope. To me those more align. Joy to me is more of a state of being, versus an emotion, but I do understand what you are saying with the pendulum. However, if it is a state of being (be joyful always), than why must we dwell within despair? Isn't that the blessing of Easter? Certainly it is good and right to reflect on our own depravity less we become proud and self-righteous, but ultimately aren't we supposed to be a joyful people because Christ paid the burden instead of us? It makes me think of monks who purposefully seek pain/sorrow to "identify" with Christ, yet Christ freed us from that. Good things to think about!
Sorry...it was St. Francis of Assisi and my grammar is really bad!!! :)
Brittany,
I see your point with "state of being" versus emotion. I would probably call both joy and suffering "states of being" then.
Yes, Christ did pay the burden and joy is a result, but we don't simply live within the resurrection now. It boils down to the "already, not yet" concept. The incarnation and resurrection are the already, but until the "not yet" of the day of the Lord, the need for the cross will still be significant.
The sorrow isn't to identify with Christ. It's an acknowledgement of the reality of our lives. If our only reality was the resurrection, then our lives would look a whole lot differently. As it is, we live in two worlds: the cross and the resurrection, joy and sorrow, etc.
I don't think I'm explaining it well right now...sorry...
But great thoughts! Thanks!
Troy - thanks for all your thoughts...I love how willing you are to share your insights as well as the things you are learning. I find this one the most challenging I think so will have to think on it more. I think I do because of John Stott's biblical theme where he often talks about how Christians still live in the fall, but we are a redeemed people. Yes, consumation hasn't occured yet and we do long for the fulfillment of the promise with the return of Christ, but we are redeemed. Interesting balance and things to ponder. As Paul said, the more he knows, the more he realizes he is the worst of sinners. Certainly rings true on my end and leaves me with no response but gratitude! Keep sharing...I love it!
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