Traditional incorporation of joy
Year of Jubilee (freeing of slaves, cancelation of debt)
"Celebration gives strength to life"
Neh 8:10 - Joy of the Lord is our strength
Throughout life, people endure pain for the joy of what lies on the other side. (e.g. mothers through childbirth)
Gal 5:22 - Part of the fruit of the spirit
Joy is the motor, infusing the other disciplines with life
"Path to Joy"
Luke 11:27, 28 - Blessed are those who hear the word of the Lord and keep it"
Foster says that the key to true joy is through obedience, and that joy is the end result of the disciplines functioning in our lives. Does this equate obedience with happiness/joy, and is that the first step toward "only disobedient people are sad or unhappy"? Where do the "seasons of mourning" of Ecclesiates fit with this? How is one motivated to continue obeying in times of sadness, depression, or anxiety without the joy "motor", and if one is experiencing those emotions, is that evidence of disobedience?
"Spirit of Carefree Celebration"
Phil 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always
We are too often wrapped up in ourselves to participate in celebration (e.g. kids excited for a birthday cake, a costume, etc vs the rest of us being too cool to join in)
Phil 4:8 - lists things worth celebrating
"Practice of Celebration"
Singing, dancing, shouting, etc
Laughter
Accent the creative gifts of fantasy and imagination
Make family events into times of celebration and thanksgiving
Celebrate the festivals of our culture
How do we incorporate joy and celebration into the other disciplines? How can the pursuit of joy motivate us to practice the other disciplines?
As I discussed this with a friend this weekend, she pointed out that maybe joy and celebration are what people who drink too much are searching for. Interesting thought.
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