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by: Rev. Jennings W. Hobson III
Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church
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"Joyful, Joyful we Adore Thee"
The sense of joy and praise expressed in that wonderful hymn is a sense all too often forgotten in Christian witness. Yes, there are many aspects of life in faith that require serious attention, and that must not be diminished. However, we must remember that joy in the life our God has given us and praise of Him for the gift are essential to the wholeness of our spirituality. From the beginning (see Genesis 1:4-31) God has declared His work of creation to be a good work, and there is every reason to believe this calls for our enjoyment and celebration with Him. In the Old Testament there are myriad images of this, including Miriam dancing and singing of the Lord’s deliverance, David dancing before the Lord, Solomon with his hands raised in thankful praise, and the Song of Solomon with its rather earthy appreciation of some of the more joyful aspects of this life. In the New testament this continues with Jesus' own sense of humor (e.g. the hyperbole and double entendre Of the eye of the needle image) and Jesus' own sense of enjoyment (e.g. drawing to Him the children, which must have included a smile and maybe even a laugh or two). His first miracle is offered at a wedding party and His gift of abundant life is certainly not limited to purely "spiritual" matters. Then there is evidence in the way God has built us - a smile is easier and more natural than a frown, laughter is good for our health at many” levels, and singing soothes the soul.
God obviously intends joy, praise, and celebration to be part of life in Him, of Christian witness and Christian living. Moreover, we are enriched by the joy and energized for dealing with more serious issues, especially when we do it together. So let us not forget to join on Sunday morning (and at other possible time) in praising and adoring God, JOYFULLY!
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