Here's a quote "The discipline of joy, the discipline of partying is a holy habit of celebration. Its a discipline because true celebration is deciding purposefully to rejoice and making every effort to do so. Celebration is the practice of lifting our eyes from our preoccupation with all the work we have to do and the trouble we're in and the money we owe and the reputation we strive to keep-to lift our eyes from all that and set them on things above....It's the discipline of setting joy before us so that we might throw off everything that hinders and run the race marked out for us - that we might endure and not lose heart and not grow weary."
For the joy set before him; the party awaiting, he endured the cross, scorning its shame - the practice of joy in the midst of, in spite of, transcendent above; suffering, uncertainty, betrayal, confusion, waiting...
I heard a sermon years ago at Southview Alliance which included a definition of patience - "living well in the meantimes of life." Living in the moment, with integrity, authenticity, victory, hope - living well in the meantime - while waiting for the something more...whatever that something more is.
That holy gang in Hebrews - living a life of faith without ever seeing the something more on this side of the grave... "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance."
Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness... for the joy set before him endured the cross....consider him who endured such opposition...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
As we journey ever nearer the cross this Lenten season - lets anticipate the something more - let's live well in the meantime. Dare we choose joy in the midst of all evidence to the contrary - without flippancy but with conviction? Jesus, please help me - I do believe, help me in my unbelief.
