Is it possible to change our capacity to experience joy?
Or are we stuck and limited by our temperament, circumstances, childhood, and whatever else shapes us for life?
When we read the writings of the first Christians in the New Testament we notice that, in spite of their circumstances, there was an enduring sense of joy emerging from their lives. For instance, the apostle Paul instructs the Philippian Christians to rejoice even while he is in prison, possibly awaiting execution (Philippians 4:4).
This Sunday at the Gathering Church we will begin a new sermon series, Serious Joy, and I have to admit that I am a little nervous about it. It is possible to understand and teach the Biblical notion of joy in totally the wrong way, making us feel either guilty for not being joyful enough, or disappointed in God for not making us happier.
Yet, I am convinced that what we need, and what the world needs from us, are Christians who know how to practice authentic joy. One of our goals as a church is to find joy in God and joy in one another.
C.S. Lewis says that joy is the serious business of heaven. We are going to get serious about it ourselves this Sunday.