The Joy That Cannot Be Taken Away
By: Szabina Patel
Tags: 2021, Joy, Jesus, Pandemic, Separation

Amongst the many lessons that 2020 has reminded me of, one is that things that are seemingly unshakeable can be taken away at a snap of a finger. Holiday plans, journeys, gatherings and even lives can be taken away. Structures that seems so solid can collapse from one moment to another. Life is so fragile and difficult times reveal what really matters.

Human relationships are so valuable. As much as I am grateful for modern technology, Zoom and Facetime, it can only be a faint echo of a flesh and blood meeting. While Spirits may be able to connect via a phone conversation, memories can rarely be made. Man is a ‘social animal’ and indeed, we were created to live connected and in community with one another. Separation is a painful thing. During COVID we have all experienced way more than we were inclined to.

But what is left when when we experience loss? Even in the darkest hour of separation, one can meet with the Creator.

Jesus in John 15, talks about the joy that he has and that he wishes us to behold. We may often talk about Jesus as a man of sorrows but rarely a man of joy. Yet he was and the joy that he carried is available to us. He carries on that we can find this joy if we love like him who laid down his life for his friends. Eastern religions also acknowledge that much of our earthly trouble is caused by our desires. Jesus, who has been my guide in this discovery and journey called life says that we can lay this all down. And although it can be God-given and satisfying, it’s not our goals, desires and longing that makes us. It sounds like it is an oxymoron but according to Jesus, we only find real liberation and real life if we lay it all down and pray the same prayer Jesus prayed before his crucificion — not my will but your will to be done.

In the time of evaluating our year behind and planning the next one, it’s easy to think that that’s who we are. While working for things to enjoy them are good, yet it cannot fulfil the painful longing we carry for a better world. Where people love and help each other, where our hope for humanity is restored. My husband and I have been thoroughly enjoying this recently very popular genre of space dramas which often centres around the idea of colonisation of a new planet, starting fresh somewhere that is unspoilt and full of possibilities.We know how much pain, sin, suffering there is in this world and we somehow long for this. I believe this desire is implanted in us by God and he will fulfil this one day, although not quite how these fascinating space-based films portray it. In the deeply mystical book of Revelations, it says that God will indeed one day create a new heaven and new earth. But even until that day, we can be a new creation through the Holy Spririt who can give us new birth and new life. Altough in this body we will be broken and bruised, we can discover signs of God’s new creation..

And while we are in this world and on this beautiful planet that we haven’t taken very good care of, are there any options to experience joy, especially while we are unable to enjoy activities that generally bring joy into our lives?

I believe so and the book of John offers a very unlikely door to it. John 15:12–13 quotes Jesus like this “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” It is to lay down our lives and our selfish desires and look for the benefit, promotion and nourishment of others.

But to make this sacrifice is not the easiest thing by far. Human nature is selfish (that is the Bible describes the works of the flesh in Galatians 5) and I don’t feel I could honestly deny myself and my desires by my own effort. Impossible for man, made possible by the Spirit of God.

I have been moved beyond words by the acknowledgement and attention that focused on the health services this year. Truly they are unsung heroes and finally the time has come when some of the real merits are highlighted. So many at the health services have given up their own comfort for the benefit of others. A beautiful example of self-sacrificial love. However, there are so many others who live sacraficial lives. I know people who gave up lucrative careers to minister to the Lord and his people, mothers who hardly even look at their own needs, but the needs and happiness of their children and grandmothers who without a complaint, looking after their spouses who are unwell. If I said that humans are selfish, we can equally say the opposite as well! That although our flesh is self-seeking, our spirit knows something else. It knows how to love others, how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

And we can look at our great high priest Jesus, who laid down his life for us.

He who enabled and empowered the shepherds to bow down in adoration, the Magi to lay down their riches at the manger in Bethlehem 2000 years ago and who enabled Mary, a young girl to say yes to the unlikely invitation of the angel of God. And the same spirit who stayed with Jesus in the land of Gethsemane as he grappled with what awaited him the next day.

And as the amplified Bible translation puts it, Jesus prays that our joy would be full and complete and overflowing. Said he, who lived continually nourished and empowered by the Father’s love.

My prayer is today that the Holy Spirit would enable us to surrender our hopes, dreams and fears for 2021. For man, it’s impossible, but for God, nothing is impossible.