We may see joy as part of love or as a partner
to love. There was an old song which said, “Love and marriage go together like
a horse and carriage.” Well, love and joy fit together like this or perhaps you
prefer to think of them as going hand in glove. Whatever image you like, love
and joy exist together in the Spirit in us. They are often intermingled
feelings. It was from Jesus’ love for us that he wanted us to have his joy
complete in us. All feelings are complex, almost never existing in isolation.
Wine connoisseurs speak of this and that with a hint of something else; so our
sense of loss can include feelings of sadness, disbelief and love, or anger,
fear and jealousy. This complexity is one of the reasons why it is wise to
examine them. Such things left unattended may spoil, contaminating all we do
and are.
There is a psychological practice which
says for us to behave in a certain way and we will come to feel whatever it is.
If we behave in loving ways we will come to love. This requires great
dedication, commitment. It is hard work and it may or may not happen. It
apparently can work if you don’t get discouraged and give up. Some suggest we
can learn to love by reading the Bible. It is true we can learn about God’s
love this way but what we have then is head knowledge. The best way to come to
love is by being loved. When we experience God’s love and know God’s joy in
encouragement and hope, we will love and our joy will be complete.
The Aaronic blessing with its words, “May
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,” is an understanding of God smiling
upon us because God is enjoying us, our presence, our company. Imagine that!
Surely one of the greatest gifts we can receive is this blessing. People of
God, observe your feelings. Enjoy loving and being loved. Reclaim joy and enjoy
God and Christ’s joy within you forever. May you be blessed richly in these
things.
Rev Julianne Parker
for full sermon see sermons page
