In their marvelous book, Fearfully and Wonderfully – The Marvel of Bearing God’s Image, authors Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, share one of the most profound statements I have ever heard. Before I share some thoughts on joy, I ask you to take a few moments and contemplate on their amazingly insightful thought: “I have learned that service also opens up levels of personal fulfillment far exceeding any others. We are called to self-denial, not for its own sake but for a compensation we can obtain in no other way.”1 I believe that one facet of this compensation is Christian joy.
Christian joy, as we have shared in an earlier devotion, is not the same as happiness, which is basically the feeling you get when things are going well and is dependent on your circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is independent of circumstances and is a by-product of being obedient to the Lord. This joy brings a “compensation” that I would like to explore in the remainder of this devotion.
I believe that self-denial can take two forms. The first form is when we sacrificially serve others. The second is when we are willing to endure trials for the sake of the Gospel. Let’s consider both of these and how they relate to joy.
Self-denial is one of the hallmarks of living the Christian life. I think we can all relate to times when we willingly made a sacrifice to help a fellow human being. On a personal note, I can remember an experience I had over 30 years ago, when I was working as a banker in the Wall Street area of Manhattan, that I will never forget.
I was on my way to lunch one day to a hamburger joint that made the most delicious burgers in all of New York City. On that day I ran into a homeless man just before I reached the burger place who asked me if I could buy him something to eat.
Something inside of me said he needed to eat more than I did so I said sure and took him to a deli right in front of where we met. I said he could order whatever he liked and we then sat down to talk. I then had the privilege to share Jesus with him and after he finished eating he thanked me greatly and we went on our separate ways. Unfortunately, he liked to eat and I spent all the money I had on me on his lunch. Needless to say, I never made it to the hamburger joint that day. If I had never met this homeless man I would have enjoyed my burger for maybe an hour and then forgot all about it. But the awesome joy I received sharing my time, money, and Jesus with this down and out man I can still remember 30 years later. You see if a small sacrifice can bring such lasting true joy, imagine how much joy a lifetime of sacrificial giving can bring.
The second special “compensation” comes when we are willing to deny ourselves and endure trials for the sake of the Gospel. This type of joy is the special pleasure and delight we receive when we know by our act of self-denial we help to advance the kingdom of God and put a smile on Jesus’ face. I think that (Matthew 5:11-12) captures this thought so beautifully: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” In this case we are willing to trade temporary suffering for a future reward in heaven. I don’t know about you but whenever I think about heavenly rewards a special joy floods my soul.
Thus, in both cases self-denial is the pathway to true joy and contentment in life. I would like to make one further observation on joy. As Christians we should understand that when we give away our possessions and time, either through sacrifice or suffering we get far more back in return – and that is the joy of the Lord. But remember as Christians we shouldn’t do things to get back anything, but because it is the right thing to do. Self-denial automatically will bring with it joy as its reward. When you invest your time, talent, and treasury in kingdom work your reward will be joy unspeakable and full of glory!
Sacrifice, suffering, and joy often seem to travel together on our Christian walk so let’s sit back and enjoy this amazing journey. And remember that Jesus is always by our side cheering us on each step of the way.
1 Brand, Dr. Paul; Yancey, Philip. Fearfully and Wonderfully (p. 64). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
A reminder:
Although joy does feel better with a happy smile, joy can share space with other emotions — sadness, fear, anger … even unhappiness. Happiness can’t.