Ordinary Joy - Pt 3

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:6-10 ESV).

I have found that recognizing the position we occupy often brings me to a deep sense of humility. Through the passage of time I have come to understand that no matter how I compare to others, or how often others compare me to them, my worth is not based in that kind of comparison. And, especially with the passage of time, I don’t measure up to the same stature I might have once been able to claim. There have been more than enough accolades and awards for various things I have accomplished. However, it is of interest to me that as I sit at my desk and write this devotional in my study, none of those are displayed. They are packaged and stored in the attic. I do have some reminders of places I’ve been and things I’ve seen. But, the real sense of joy is not where I’ve been or what I’ve done; the real sense of joy is in where I’m going and what I will do when I get to that place! Our picture today seems somewhat sad, two old derelicts washed ashore, perhaps long forgotten. They may have served their purpose some time ago, though now they are left alone, abandoned in favor of something else. Yet, to my eye there is something much more transcendent about them than that. To me they serve as a potent reminder of what I have found to be my hope. The artist who captured this through the lens of his mind has memorialized them in a way that will bring joy to others for as long as the photo exists. The photographer has that kind of power. He created something of great value out of what appeared to be worthless. God does that with us. God calls us to be content as creatures. Pride makes us want to be gods, but humility accepts the truth that we can’t master life. We are flesh and blood creatures; we are made of dust. We don’t master life, and we don’t know what the days ahead will bring. But we put our trust in God, and eat and drink every day with joy. We find joy in the ordinary things of life. If our days are good, if we are spared suffering, that is a gift of God. Ordinary days have their own glory. This is the essence of humility and the foundation of joy. When we receive life as God’s gift, we see the glory in the ordinary. He cares for us and will bring us to our eternal home!