One of my favorite things about the apostle Paul is his absolute unwillingness to surrender his joy. He refuses to do it.
Even in his imprisonments.
Even after beatings. Floggings.
Even when he knows some are proclaiming Christ not sincerely at all but out of selfish ambition.
Even in his imprisonments.
Even after beatings. Floggings.
Even when he knows some are proclaiming Christ not sincerely at all but out of selfish ambition.
Even in all his persecutions. In all the stress of the young churches. Conflicts. Anxieties. Sleepless nights. In his hunger. In sickness. Physical weakness. In his death sentence. They could take his life but they could not take his joy. This is our heritage, brothers & sisters.
We’ve been left a legacy of joy in our strain, struggle and pain. And not by itself. A legacy alone could prove only to heap up crushing guilt for what we couldn’t live up to. We were left more than a legacy. We were left the same Holy Spirit who galvanized their stubborn joy.
Each generation has the responsibility to carry on that legacy of obstinate love, joy & faith in ever-present cruelties so the generation behind them can see with their own eyes, this was no mere philosophy. This is the living breathing pulsating reality of the people of the Way.
We have this in us, Church. Because we have the Holy Spirit in us. Most of us within reach of these words are not accustomed to having to rely wholly on the Holy Spirit. It’s a new day. A brutal day. A joyless day. Except for 1 thing that makes all the difference:
we have Jesus.
we have Jesus.
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