Ode To Joy

No, I am not going to play a lovely song today! In honor of my favorite classical music composer I will name this article after one of his most popular pieces. Interestingly enough, Beethoven first encountered, "An Die Freude" Schiller's poem "To Joy" over thirty years before he felt compelled to write it into his Ninth Symphony. This was after Beethoven became completely deaf. Looking in his biography I've come to realize his life was anything but joyous. In Psalm 119:92 it says "If your law hadn't sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery." Rumor has it that while Beethoven died during a thunderous storm he shook his fist up towards the heavenlies. How can such a talented, genious write about joy yet have such bitterness? Could it be, like the psalmist said, "If your law hadn't sustained me..."?  I shudder at the thought.

That brings to mind one of my favorite scriptures, Proverbs 2:10, "for wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy."  It is speaking of the leading of the Holy Spirit. To fully grasp the meaning, let's go back to the beginning of Proverbs 2 and reach into the foundation of this jeweled truth that will lead us to obtain true joy.

Prov 2, "My child, listen to what I say and remember what I command you. Listen carefully to wisdom [Holy Spirit] set your mind on understanding. Cry out for wisdom, and beg for understanding. Search for it like silver, and hunt for it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand respect for the Lord, and you will find that you know God. Only the Lord gives wisdom, He gives knowledge and understanding. He stores up wisdom for those who are honest. Like a shield He protects the innocent. He makes sure that justice is done, and He protects those who are loyal to Him. Then you will understand what is honest and fair and what is the good and right thing to do. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy."

This one passage of scripture alone is worth all the gold on earth. It is loaded with important truths we should heed to. It talks about asking for wisdom and understanding. How many of us refuse to open a bible because "we can't possibly understand that jibberish"? Aha! The secret is to "ask for wisdom and understanding"! Once the eyes of our hearts have been opened ~ by the Holy Spirit ~ we will experience a whole different dimension of God we never knew existed! Yes, it was hidden for centuries and only allowed to be viewed by the church leaders, but even though it’s been a thing of the past, we still have the mentality that the information in the Bible is too complex for the average person. I hope to shed some light into your life regarding this delusion.

We need to live with an integrity par none, to walk as blameless as possible to be able to experience joy and peace in our lives. Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”  There have been times in my life “B.C” that I would ask the proverbial question, “Why didn’t someone write an instruction book on how to raise kids? Or how to deal with this job” or any situation where I needed guidance. Those were confusing, insecure times in my life where I made many mistakes and went through many dark “tunnels” that I wish not to re-live! I have since found my “Instruction Book” on life. The Holy Scriptures. I have since found wisdom and understanding, thus leading to pure joy. This does not mean my life doesn’t have it’s tumultuous moments, but when I walk though the valley, I know His rod and his staff leads me. The joy of the Lord is my strength and His everlasting goodness prevails through any and every situation!

To further impress in your heart the true meaning of joy, let’s look at what the apostle Paul has to say to us in James 1:2-5, “My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in all you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so He will give you wisdom.”

Medicine: 4-year-old boy who was asked to return thanks before Christmas dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip.

Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited. After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"

I leave you with this for now: Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.

Comments

[Miriam]

Very good writing and great insight.

[Thomas]

A very promising writer. Thanks for the inspiration during a time greatly needed. Keep up the articles!

[Bill Van Loan]

I really loved this title "Ode To Joy" and look forward to reading more about the joy that comes from your heart. This would be such a super title for a book as well. It could be a blank journal and it would still sell like crazy.

All the best to you and your family.