Afraid of Joy
I had lunch today with a man who has incurable brain cancer. He looks like a blonde-haired Jesus. In fact, he looks like a picture of health. He was beaming with joy. His name is Matt Henry. Matt was living his best life at 36 years old when brain cancer struck. They gave him three years to live. That was nine years ago. I won’t go into all the details because he’s coming to our church to share his story in January.
As I listened to Matt’s story over some good Mexican food, I was struck by his love for life. Matt takes it day by day, knowing any day could be his last day. I think that’s a great way to live—but most of us don’t, including me. I mean, I try, but all too often I get bogged down by the pressures of life. I have my moments—little snippets of life that make me happy—but sometimes I’m afraid of joy. I know, it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Why would I be afraid of joy? I guess I’m afraid that if I get too comfortable with joy, it will be taken away from me. Life has dealt me some blows that have tempered my ability to truly enjoy things the way I want to. I keep thinking the sky is going to fall in or the hammer is going to come down on me. And yet here is Matt, laughing large and enjoying life in a way few of us can relate to.
Have you ever watched a child run to a public fountain on a hot summer day and frolic around with unabashed laughter and joy? I think we all want to experience that kind of uninhibited joy, but all too often we shy away from those moments. We are literally afraid of joy.
Jesus didn’t come into this world to save us only for the next life. He wants us to enjoy our life now. In John 10:10, He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The thief is Satan—but Satan shows up in all the little things that steal our joy. Jesus told us that life would be difficult. He said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Matt told me he’s always looking for the next thing to put on his bucket list—and then do it. Just last week, my wife Karen and I were in New Orleans for a business trip for her. Lucky me, I got invited! We enjoyed some amazing food together. On our last evening, the waiter suggested an entrée that included alligator meat. We were both a little reluctant, but then we decided this was a bucket list opportunity. We went for it—and I have to say, alligator meat is really good!
With all the misery in the world and all the problems that life brings on a daily basis, let’s invite Jesus into the sad parts of our lives, and let’s celebrate that which can be celebrated.
C.S. Lewis wrote a book called Surprised by Joy. I love the title of that book. Instead of being afraid of joy, let’s position ourselves to be surprised by joy.
The best way to do that is to stay close to Jesus.
Steve