How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Psalm 133
There is something great about witnessing a moment when a team plays so well together that it is almost like they are moving as one. Now I don’t simply mean when a team carries off set plays and rehearsed moves like the Harlem Globetrotters (although they are pretty cool). It’s those moments, key moments in a game, in a season, or a career where, through experience and co-operation, people improvise something amazing together.
The same could be said of many sports or the way that actors or musicians can make magical moments together. Gladly we don’t have to only ever be spectators. We experience this kind of joy when we have great improvised moments with our friends, our colleagues, and our family.
I was very encouraged this week to hear and read (in the comments) of how last week’s blog post Delighting in Weakness, really blessed someone. Well of course, it was God and His Word that touches hearts. But the fun thing was the way God used a small improvised team, led by His voice, to show someone that He loves and is looking out for them.
I always smile when I think of my friend, Satoshi Nagasawa, who is a pastor in Kyoto, Japan. We had the chance to work closely together for two years as we started a new outreach in Kyoto University. When we first met I knew barely any Japanese and he knew very little English. But God quickly bound our hearts together and in spite of the language barrier (or perhaps even because we couldn’t rely on language) we were able to work together quite seamlessly. I have many fond memories of sitting side-by-side in an outreach Bible study, often thinking the same thing and reacting the same way, even though we often had to rely on others to translate between each other.
There is no more wonderful and rewarding challenge in working together than a marriage between two different people. Now that my wife and I have three wonderful kids attached to ours we are learning how to work together at a new level. The mornings can be such a challenge to have everyone ready for the day and on time and reasonable happy. But there is such a joy when it all comes together, when life exudes through the activities, uninhibited by the stress of imperfect hearts (read: mine). Then it’s not like a set-play (even though we have rehearsed), it is like a glorious improvised dance.
It’s not that the work gets done, although that’s important. There is just so much to enjoy in the process of working together well. Because when we do, someone much greater is smiling, He touches the moment, working in and through it.
Ah, joy!
Can you think of a moment when you’ve experienced this kind of joy?
How can you play your part with those around you today to bring this blessing?
Ah, Joy!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the chaos of mornings and the joy one feels when all things come together - it's an amazing feeling!
But I am honestly starting to wonder if the stress of trying to achieve the feeling of joy is really worth the effort that needs to be expended?
What happens when those you are trying to "play well with" have other plans and/ or ulterior motives that revolve around exposing what they believe to be a fake you - even though you are who you are (which is supposed to be beautiful in God's eyes)?
What happens when to try to look at things from a perspective of joy and you are told that you are not wanted or needed or you don't fit the mould?
What happens when you feel so beat down with disillusionment and you are so tired it hurts to breathe... when you have no where to turn but God (whom you rely solely on because you have no one else) and still you can find no joy? Not even a glimpse.
What happens when your glass - that has ALWAYS been half full - suddenly looks half empty?
What happens when you deliberately set out to be joyous but you can no longer find the strength because no one finds value in your contributions?
When you pray and hear no answer; see no answer? How long do you wait if forever is too long? What happens when intellectually you know the answers but you can no longer feel - anything ...
When you have put yourself out there so many times and been told time and time again, by those who seem to be living Godly lives and appear to be receiving His blessings, that you are not enough?
How do you hold on to joy when it has been snatched out of your hands and heart?
How do you regain a focus on joy when it takes every ounce of your being to go through the riggers of daily life - to be what you need to be to who you need to be it to?
What happens when your focus is God but yet you have no joy?
Ah, Joy.... where did you go? And how do I get you back if even though I am relying on God, believing in God, focusing on God, trusting in God and still there is no sign of you - not even a glimpse?
Wow - thanks for your comment. Your questions are good ones and they are from the heart. Thanks for your honesty. I don't want to patronise you but I hope I can encourage you a little. Don't forget the truth, to God you are already enough. Don't walk alone, let someone you trust in personally. And don't give up. He is good and He loves you heaps.
ReplyDeleteYours prayerfully,
Mark
markgee@gmail.com
PS - you write really well.