Defining Joy
I think we need to pause and try to get our minds around the idea of joy: just what is it? This is no easy task (as is the case when trying to define any of the emotions/affections of the heart; what is love, or anger, or peace?). But it's a worthy exercise to try to wrap our minds around the very nature of joy--though I'm not sure how well I'll do.
Dictionaries say things like: "Joy is an ecstatic or exultant happiness" or "Joy is great pleasure", "the emotion due to well-being, success, good fortune, or possessing what we desire." Often joy is defined simply by synonyms, which helps but doesn't get us all the way there, it seems.
It occurs to me that maybe a look at the roots of various Hebrew/Greek Bible words for joy might point us in a good direction. One Bible word for joy has its roots in the idea of brightness; that which shines. Joy connects to a shining experience of the soul, and often look on the face. Another Bible word finds its roots in the word for leaping and springing. Joy is that which makes the heart leap, dance, bounce. It creates a lightness on the feet of the soul.
Another word is rooted in the idea of exultation--triumph and success and the thrill of victory. The idea of desire is connected to another word. Joy is the experience of and satisfying of desire (this connects to C.S. Lewis' take that joy is "the intense longing of the heart for God" that will only be fully satisfied in "another world.")
A primary Greek word for joy is closely related to the Greek word for grace--which refers to a gift freely given, undeserved. I've often defined grace as a "free gift that brings joy". Joy is connected to receiving, in this case to receiving what we cannot otherwise obtain, receiving what we long for but do not deserve, receiving a free, unmerited favor.
Still another word for joy--normally translated blessed, connects to the idea of fullness and wholeness. It speaks of that emotion that arises from an experience of being full, having all, receiving much, being satisfied and satiated.
I'm not sure I can really define joy but I'd say that biblically joy is that inward state of well-being and fullness of soul--that despite circumstances and sorrows to the contrary, and because of relationship with God in Christ--feels good, feels content, feels exultant, feels on the undeserved receiving end of fullness and wholeness and the heart's truest desires.
Having paused in my blogging to take a three mile walk with the dog, I'd like now to revise the previous definition a bit (walks do that for me). Joy is the shining of the soul and leaping of the spirit that flow out of tasting freely of the fullness of God.
Joy is when, despite encroaching darkness, the soul shines, and despite sorrowful burdens, the spirit leaps, because one has tasted freely and undeservedly of the fullness of God's glory and grace and goodness. Joy in the heart is that which feels and perhaps says the familiar words: "it is well with my soul" and "I'm doing better than I deserve"--because I have tasted the free goodness of God.
This is not the final word to be sure; it may not even be a very clear word at all. But it's been a good exercise for my soul to ponder it. I wonder how you'd define it. Give it a shot, and let us know what you come up with. I am very anxious to see what God gives you.
Dictionaries say things like: "Joy is an ecstatic or exultant happiness" or "Joy is great pleasure", "the emotion due to well-being, success, good fortune, or possessing what we desire." Often joy is defined simply by synonyms, which helps but doesn't get us all the way there, it seems.
It occurs to me that maybe a look at the roots of various Hebrew/Greek Bible words for joy might point us in a good direction. One Bible word for joy has its roots in the idea of brightness; that which shines. Joy connects to a shining experience of the soul, and often look on the face. Another Bible word finds its roots in the word for leaping and springing. Joy is that which makes the heart leap, dance, bounce. It creates a lightness on the feet of the soul.
Another word is rooted in the idea of exultation--triumph and success and the thrill of victory. The idea of desire is connected to another word. Joy is the experience of and satisfying of desire (this connects to C.S. Lewis' take that joy is "the intense longing of the heart for God" that will only be fully satisfied in "another world.")
A primary Greek word for joy is closely related to the Greek word for grace--which refers to a gift freely given, undeserved. I've often defined grace as a "free gift that brings joy". Joy is connected to receiving, in this case to receiving what we cannot otherwise obtain, receiving what we long for but do not deserve, receiving a free, unmerited favor.
Still another word for joy--normally translated blessed, connects to the idea of fullness and wholeness. It speaks of that emotion that arises from an experience of being full, having all, receiving much, being satisfied and satiated.
I'm not sure I can really define joy but I'd say that biblically joy is that inward state of well-being and fullness of soul--that despite circumstances and sorrows to the contrary, and because of relationship with God in Christ--feels good, feels content, feels exultant, feels on the undeserved receiving end of fullness and wholeness and the heart's truest desires.
Having paused in my blogging to take a three mile walk with the dog, I'd like now to revise the previous definition a bit (walks do that for me). Joy is the shining of the soul and leaping of the spirit that flow out of tasting freely of the fullness of God.
Joy is when, despite encroaching darkness, the soul shines, and despite sorrowful burdens, the spirit leaps, because one has tasted freely and undeservedly of the fullness of God's glory and grace and goodness. Joy in the heart is that which feels and perhaps says the familiar words: "it is well with my soul" and "I'm doing better than I deserve"--because I have tasted the free goodness of God.
This is not the final word to be sure; it may not even be a very clear word at all. But it's been a good exercise for my soul to ponder it. I wonder how you'd define it. Give it a shot, and let us know what you come up with. I am very anxious to see what God gives you.
Labels: Affections, christian life, Joy, Religious Affections
3 Comments:
OK, will try to take a shot at defining joy later... I'll think about it through the day. For now, this 50 year old is off to the beach for two hours! That is a joyful prospect.
On my way home fom work, 9.45 boat. This is typically the time I read the blogs.Pastor Tim, this series on joy has made my heart leap for joy.I say amen especially to todays words.How these words have filled my soul, like a holiday meal.I'm full and satisfied and so very grateful to know that our God has given me Joy in my salvation!I find that the joy God gives seems to hold hands with the abounding hope provided by.His Spirit.Ithank you again for the grace given words today. Got to go, my boat is docking.
Sent from mary beth roberts
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