Joyless Christianity? Really?

This week a friend asked me an interesting question.

Standing at the foot of a trail just outside Estes Park, CO, he looked at me and asked, “Aaron, how would you feel if Jesus returned tomorrow?” Without missing a beat, I responded, “Excited,” and after a little more thought conceded, ”And probably a little disappointed.” Now I know when my Savior triumphantly returns in all power and glory, there will be no lasting feelings of disappointment on that day. But as I consider the hypothetical possibility of him coming tomorrow and my knowing it, I have to admit I feel a bit of sadness.

I am saddened at the thought of my story ending so soon, for it not being all that it could have been. I am saddened at the thought of the time I wasted, the love I refused to share, the forgiveness I hesitated to extend, and the sacrifices I never made. But most of all, I am saddened at the thought of this life ending so soon not because it fell short of what I had hoped, but rather because it has been so much more than I could have hoped or imagined.

Can I tell you something? I love my life. I really do. I love my family, my friends, my city, my church, my job, and in all of it, my Creator. This is why I don't get escapist "Christians" who desperately read the Left Behind series and pray that Jesus returns as quickly as possible in order to sweep them up from their apathetic, purposeless, passionless, joyless lives. They befuddle me.

A joyless Christian? What an oxymoron.

Are these things really to be true of us? I don’t think so. Our God is too good. And in Him, I have to tell you, life is also good! Do we have bad days? You bet. Do I experience things like pain, failure and disappointment? Of course. But the scriptures say that even in the worst of circumstances God’s people can find a peace that goes beyond understanding, a joy that cannot be held back, a life so full that it simply cannot be understood apart from Christ.  

Which I think should lead us to consider a rather scary idea. Perhaps our discontentedness has less to do with the circumstances of our life, and more to do with our separation from Christ. Perhaps some of us who attend church every week, listen to K-LOVE on the way to work, and who have been going through the religious motions for years are much further from Jesus than we suppose.

One of my favorite passages in the scriptures is recorded in John 10:10. In it, Jesus says this: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

In the words of the ESV Study Bible, "Jesus' promise of abundant life, which begins already in the here and now, brings to mind OT prophecies about abundant blessing. Jesus calls his followers, not to a dour, lifeless, miserable existence that squashes human potential, but to a rich, full, joyful life, one overflowing with meaningful activities under the personal favor and blessing of God and in continual fellowship with his people." 

Has a more sufficient reason to joyfully live and celebrate ever existed?

Comments

[Sarah Pearson]

I want Jesus to come back because there is so much evil in the world. I can't watch much of the news because it is so heartwrenching. My prayer when so overcome, is "Come Lord Jesus" -simply for his promised rescue. But I want to live it UP while I'm here too! I think we are called to live in the tension between both joy and a desire to be rescued.

[Aaron Loy]

Hey Sarah, that is a good point. My heart also hurts for the injustice and suffering that I see in the world, all of which is a direct result of sin. I long for the day when He will make all things new. When, in the words of Revelation 21:4, "‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

I desire for the world to be rescued as well, but we as believers have already been rescued. I truly believe this should be evident in our lives, both as a redeemed people, and in mission, as those called to be a part of God's present rescue.

I think the tension you are referring to exists in the "already / not yet" state of The Kingdom - that which has been begun but won't be completed until Christ returns.

[Bruce Beebout]

For most of my converted life I have felt like a heretic when the question was popped, "Don't you just wish Jesus would come back today?". I don't know that I would ever be ready to resign myself to that unless everyone I knew and loved also knew and loved him. There is always work to do, the good news to share. People here and now need us to bring light and hope. Of course, if I grow old and/or sick, then a hastening might be in order! But until then, maybe heaven come to earth through each of us.

[Aaron Loy]

Bruce, such great perspective, my friend: "I don't know that I would ever be ready to resign myself to that unless everyone I knew and loved also knew and loved him." I couldn't agree more! Indeed, "may heaven come to earth through each of us"!