“Joy” – a great feeling of pleasure or happiness.
We all have been there…the ups in our careers, shouting from the mountaintops; the downs in our careers, crying in the valleys. We all have questioned our purpose. We all have questioned our calling. We all have been reminded why we love our jobs. I believe jobs are like phases in life. It is how we are either reminded about God’s calling in our lives or how God calls us to a different path.
But…what about the times when you love what you do but no longer find joy? It’s like an oxymoron, isn’t it? You may ask yourself how can one love what you do but find no joy? Before I go on, do know that I don’t have the answer but only what God has placed on my heart. But first, let’s go back a few months.
May 3…the day my mom passed away from a year’s battle with cancer (actually less than a year). My whole world changed that day. More changes were to come with my work. When school started back, I thought I would be ok after a summer of grieving for everything that had changed in my life. However, what I found out is the first nine weeks back were the hardest I had ever experienced. What used to be the norms with my mom were gone. The “norms” with my job had changed. Everything that was stable was gone. Every day for the first nine weeks, literally every day, I cried. I cried before I left home. I cried in the school’s bathrooms. I cried on the way back home. I cried in bed. I literally found no joy in my work. None. Like, none! I love my job. I love my school family. I love my students. How can anyone love so much but literally feel nothing anymore? It was if I was an empty shell just “going through the motions” at work.
Through this time, God has opened (and continues to open) my eyes to see truths that we Believers cling to but possibly fail to grasp from time to time. It was through this morning’s sermon on 2 Kings 6:8-23 that I was reminded of the first part of finding joy – do not fear when you are unsure of what the future holds.
We should see three things in fearful times…
1) See who God is!
Through this passage, Elisha is teaching us that we serve a great God who knows all things and is able to protect his people in all things. When in fearful circumstances, this truth (God knows all things) should give us comfort because He can/does His holy will; He is a refuge and fortress of His people. When God gives us harm (physical/emotional) or trials, we must remember there is purpose, and we can be at peace no matter what rages against us.
2) We should see the UNSEEN spiritual realities when we are afraid!
Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would open to see the unseen army that was protecting them… to fear no more because he had seen the heavenly host (God’s angelic army). We are called to see the unseen realities by faith…walk with conviction of things not seen.
What does this mean?
First, see/know that angels are real and active against the spiritual forces of evil. We should not fear because those with us are more than those against us.
Second, see/know that we are sinners in need of a Savior.
Third, see/know the hope of eternal glory (momentary afflictions are small because we see eternal hope).
FEAR NOT…do we know these things are true? Do we remember what God has done for us?
3) Last , in this passage, we see the POWER OF KINDNESS!
Elisha prayed the Syrian army would be struck with blindness (visual and mental confusion, not absence of sight). Elisha takes them to Samaria then prays their eyes be open. Elisha’s servant wanted to kill them but Elisha said NO. Elisha asks the king to give them (the enemy) food and drink, so the Syrians will know the impact of God’s miracle and to know God’s love (sparing their lives and feeding them).
It is easy in fearful times to repay evil for evil, to take our own revenge. However, we should leave room for the wrath of God. Make our enemies have shame to lead them to guilt in hopes they will be led to repentance. In trials, God calls us to fear not and to love our enemies…He sees our suffering. Put fear to death by remembering Jesus.
I don’t know what my future holds or why these trials are extremely heavy right now. However, through God’s Word in 2 Kings and through the acts of Elisha, I am reminded to not fear when the storms and trials are heavy against me. Before experiencing joy, one must know and be reminded of God’s sovereignty in ALL aspects of life.
I don’t know when Part 2 of this post will be written. As of now, though, I will work on resting in the comfort of God’s sovereignty and to trust Him during this time.
Read and meditate on the words my choir sang this morning… O Thou, in Whose Presence
O Thou, in Whose presence my soul takes delight, on Whom in affliction I call, my comfort by day
and my song in the night, my hope, my salvation, my all.
Where dost Thou, dear Shepherd, resort with Thy sheep, to feed them in pastures of love? Say, why
in the valley of death should I weep, or alone in this wilderness rove?
He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice, and myriads wait for His Word; He speaks, and
eternity, filled with His voice, re-echoes the praise of the Lord.
Dear Shepherd, I hear, and will follow Thy call; I know the sweet sound of Thy voice; restore and
defend me, for Thou art my all, and in Thee I will ever rejoice.
