JUNE 18, 2017

“Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... [My dark side says,] I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” 
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

NEHEMIAH 7-8

9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”(8:9-10)

ACTS 3

6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

JOURNAL 

"the joy of the Lord is your strength"...really letting that sink in. Not power or talents but joy of the Lord...Joy in all that God is doing and has done. It takes the focus off myself and the current situation. It causes me to see God in the context of all he has done and is doing. God's joy is not finite, it is infinite. Therefore if I embrace his joy I see all of time past, all of the present and all of what is to come. I see that regardless of my life, God is doing great things, God is redeeming the evil of man. God is transforming hearts and minds and that is a joy that cannot be replaced. That is a joy that is far greater than my current circumstances. 

As my life becomes an outpost of the kingdom, it does so only to the extent that I embrace this joy. I become confident and content because God's love is far beyond my own, it is far beyond my own life but yet I share in it. My joy therefore is not limited to my own life. My joy is a result of the completeness of God. I share in his joy and therefore I share in his strength, because it is no longer limited to my finite life. 

This strengthens me because I cannot fail, no matter my circumstance no matter how dire, no matter the result. I embrace the joy of the lord and therefore I have victory, because God has victory. I can engage fully with my heart without fear, without dread because no matter the outcome, God will win. Regardless...my efforts will be part of his victory. No matter how man judges them or acknowledges them, my efforts as an outpost of the kingdom will be used by God to bring his joy and redemption. 

31but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:31