True Joy

I have been “on the road” for three weeks and anticipated heading home by now, but hearing that a friend who has struggled with ALS for many years in South Carolina passed on this week, I have altered my route to attend his memorial service in Charlotte on Saturday.  I now plan to return by way of Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte to visit others and attend his service.  Presently I have returned to our Indiana lake house but will be heading out early tomorrow.

This has been an encouraging trip visiting in thirteen homes so far.  The Apostle Paul said; “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, and also want to be encouraged by yours” (Romans 1:2) and I have certainly experienced that encouragement.  Hopefully I brought a bit into their homes also.  Several I have visited are in their later years, and it has been a delight to see the joy in their lives even when experiencing continuous physical challenges.  During my travels I heard Chuck Swindoll say; “The obvious is often not the most significant” and I couldn’t but help think that is so true in their lives.  True, they were not thrilled with some of their circumstances, but that joy in knowing the Lord and trusting him fully was clearly generating great joy regardless of circumstances.

James tells us; “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great Joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”  (James 1:2b)  Not only did I see joy in the lives of those visited, but I saw an amazing example of true joy in the life of my departed friend, Jay.  I believe it was about five years ago that he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) while he and his wife were serving as missionaries in Nigeria.  At his early age (30+ years younger than me) with a small family, while suddenly facing a fatal disease causing an extremely difficult future, he continued to encourage multitudes right up to the end.  He certainly faced the test of his faith using it as an opportunity to continue serving his Lord regardless of the circumstances while radiating his underlying joy.

All of this has caused me to reflect much upon the contrast between joy and happiness.  The media constantly brings us all sorts of items for our happiness that may be useful for the moment, but real lasting joy is the rare commodity that we should be seeking.  Yes, that message is for me!

Hopefully my next blog will be from home...tired but filled with fond memories of my visits.

Love to you all,

Chuck