The recent discovery of an unpublished letter by C.S. Lewis is raising eyebrows and interest around the globe. Penned less than two weeks before the end of World War II to a mysterious “Mrs. Ellis”, the letter provides a rare glimpse into Lewis’ definition of joy. He writes:
“Real joy … jumps under ones ribs and tickles down one’s back and makes one forget meals and keeps one (delightedly) sleepless o’ nights” (The Guardian).
While I adore Lewis’ lively language, I find the great scholar doing what so many have done in the church for far too long: defining joy by that which seems just out of reach.
But what if the great secrets of joy are accessible to us today?
More than three years ago I ventured on a spiritual expedition into the more than 400 references of joyful expressions throughout the Bible.
I cleansed my palatte of the tired teachings that happiness is based on circumstance and joy is not, as well as the overly simplictic, JOY is spelled Jesus, Others, Yourself.
(This works great when you’re nine but becomes disasterous to the thirtysomething mom of three who hasn’t had five free minutes to take a shower in seven days. She aches for someone, anyone, to help her find time to spell and live JYO for a at least an hour a day. #longlivemoms)
My Biblical exploration revealed joy as so much more than I ever knew. Most of the definitions of joy I’d heard in the church defined it more by what it wasn’t than what it was.
I’m now convinced the writers of the Bible would say that the reason we have joy is because we have great circumstances. [Tweet “We are drenched in the mercies and grace of God. “]
Today, your circumstances are better than you think.
When it comes to doling out happiness and joy, God is anything but stingy.
When you look at Scripture, joy is a spectrum of emotions, actions, and responses that include mirth, glee, gladness, cheer, happiness, merriment, delighting, shouting, exulting, rejoicing, laughing, playing, brightening, blessing and being blessed, taking pleasure in and being well pleased.
Perhaps we need a redefinition of joy, because we need a redefinition of us.
C.S. Lewis captured the notion of joy as a feeling when he described, “(real joy) jumps under ones ribs and tickles down one’s back”, but joy is also an action and a response.
Somedays we feel like a joy. Some days we don’t.
But we can still answer the sacred call to live in joy. No matter what battlefield we find ourselves on.
That’s one reason I wrote the Fight Back With Joy book and Bible study.
[Tweet “Perhaps you’re not experiencing joy, because your definition of joy has been far too narrow for far too long.”]
Let’s begin to awaken to the fullness of joy. Let’s learn how to fight back with joy together. Order today.
Wow! Love this! So many times I have heard the cliche that we Christians should never be “under the circumstances.” But when we consider our eternal circumstances because of God’s drenching grace there is joy! Blessings!
Amen, Sharla! A truth I need to remind myself over and over again. Huge hug.
Good Morning Margaret…I hope you have had a joyful Christmas and that your new year is truly a joyous adventure with Him!
“…we can still answer the sacred call to live in joy. No matter what battlefield we find ourselves on.”
Absolutely wonderful, that statement! I love it! (Yes, I am using way too many exclamation marks, but it’s soooo hard not to.) “Sacred call to live in joy.” LOVE IT! And it is so amazingly wonderful that we can actually live that, for real and for true, because of Him…sometimes its a journey and I need reminders (sometimes?) but that isn’t because it isn’t true, or that living this sacred call is unattainable, its because I’m human, in process and God’s grace gives me the joy of learning and growing and continually seeing Him do a new work in me (most often moment by moment)…and it really is exciting if I will make Him the focus of this life of mine.
My daughter and I have been saying “practice Jesus’ joy” a lot…the phrase pops up often when things are going less than what one might (initially) consider joyfully. But Jesus makes the difference and He is generous with His joy.
Looking forward to this study (as is my girl, Megan JOY — boy is she ever!).
God bless you BIG with His joy!!!!
I have been struggling with chronic pain for over 5 years now. So many doctors. So many different meds. So much advice. A roller coaster of hope and disappointment. Joy has been fleeting at best. I am leading a group of ladies starting next week in a monthly gathering to study your series Fighting Back with Joy. Prayers needed! Feeling defeated and hypocritical at the moment
Jan…bless you and sending up a prayer for you now. I think you are absolutely NOT hypocritical at all (and don’t let the accuser of the brethern convince you of any such thing)…in fact you are leading women from a place of honesty and need, not a place of perfection. I suspect Jesus is smiling and very delighted that you are willing to enter into learning and leaning on Him and His truth…I suspect He has a surprise or two for you as you surrender to this process and His Spirit.
alo789: 789alo – alo 789
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