Most mornings when the weather/temperature is favorable, I grab a cuppa Joe and sit out in the rocker on the front porch for a time of devotion and meditation.
This morning I was reminded that both joy and sorrow are part of the human experience. I think we all have experienced both in abundance if we’ve lived for any length of time.
The Lord Jesus Christ, during His time on Earth, experienced sorrow and joy regularly. He showed us how to live and grow in our faith through each.
While joy is preferred, both are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as “fruit of the Spirit”.
Suffering is expressed as “longsuffering” and “patience” because while we suffer through various trials, wrongs, and hurts in life, we are learning to wait with patience for light on the other side, most often accompanied by a degree of joy.
I heard a speaker say once that “music would be so boring if it were always either high happy notes or low sad notes. There must be both to be satisfying.”
Same with life - Joy and sorrow must both be present for a fulfilled life.
While the scripture is a guide for living the Christian life, I realize that many of my subscribers may not embrace salvation and eternal life through Christ as Lord and Savior, which is one of the main tenants of scripture.
And because we all live in a fallen world run by flawed people, we all experience the same things in life, some a great deal more than others.
All that to say that there is great benefit from reading and meditating on the scriptures.
This morning I can across something written by Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960) in her very popular Devotional called Streams in the Desert that moved me greatly about the truth about how both joy and sorrow have worked together in my life to bring me to where I am today.
Rather than rambling any more about this subject, here is what Mrs. Cowman wrote in full:
Sorrow was beautiful, but her beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below. When Sorrow sang, her notes were like the low sweet call of the nightingale, and in her eyes was the unexpectant gaze of one who has ceased to look for coming gladness. She could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to her.
Joy was beautiful, too, but his was the radiant beauty of the summer morning. His eyes still held the glad laughter of childhood, and his hair had the glint of the sunshine's kiss. When Joy sang his voice soared upward as the lark's, and his step was the step of a conqueror who has never known defeat. He could rejoice with all who rejoice, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to him.
"But we can never be united," said Sorrow wistfully. "No, never." And Joy's eyes shadowed as he spoke. "My path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom for my gathering, and the blackbirds and thrushes await my coming to pour forth their most joyous lays."
"My path," said Sorrow, turning slowly away, "leads through the darkening woods, with moon-flowers only shall my hands be filled. Yet the sweetest of all earth-songs--the love song of the night--shall be mine; farewell, Joy, farewell."
“Even as she spoke they became conscious of a form standing beside them; dimly seen, but of a Kingly Presence, and a great and holy awe stole over them as they sank on their knees before Him.
"I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow, "for on His Head are many crowns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. Before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever.”
“Nay, Sorrow," said Joy softly, "but I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great agony. I, too, give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy that I have known."
"Then we are one in Him," they cried in gladness, "for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow." Hand in hand they passed out into the world to follow Him through storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the warmth of summer gladness, "as sorrowful yet always rejoicing."
Should Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder,
And walk with thee in silence on life's way,
While Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder,
Becomes to thee more distant day by day?
Shrink not from the companionship of Sorrow,
She is the messenger of God to thee;
And thou wilt thank Him in His great tomorrow
For what thou knowest not now, thou then shalt see;
She is God's angel, clad in weeds of night,
With 'whom we walk by faith and not by sight.'- Streams in the Desert - August 19.
I hope you will take time to meditate on this …
Thanks for your support of Life UnCorked.
Until next time, my friends …