For The Joy That Endures

It is written, that for the Joy which was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. I have meditated on that a lot, I have tried to imagine what kind of Joy could have been a motivation worth that kind of suffering! If only I could get hold of the vision He had for His Father's Glory, for His Kingdom, For His pleasure. If only I could transcend my own grubby, earthly, sin-riddled existence to scale the heights of understanding His mindset. If only I could operate each minute in the mind of Christ, which I am said to have. I am sure that it is being worked in me along the way, but it seems to be taking so long!

And the warfare! I feel that there is this unseen remote control that some unseen someone keeps grabbing, and changing the station! I grab it and change it back! And some days I feel that it must be lost in the couch or something. Those days I get up with way to much static and can't seem to find the channel changer! Oy vey! Up down, spiral round, where are the placid seas? I do not enjoy roller-coasters of any kind!

But God is faithful! If I can just find a quiet place, and take some deep breaths, and cry out to Him, if I can just force my brain waves to slosh in His direction for a few seconds, the peace comes back. Some people are probably thinking by now, after reading a few of my blogs, "Wow, this lady is like, mentally ill or something". Duh! That is just one reason that I prefer the mind of Christ to my own! lol

Though, I do not believe that there are many people who do not have some kind of mental illness or dis-ease. It varies in form and intensity, and of course, some kinds are more socially acceptable and widespread, and therefore passes for normalcy. But overall we have all got a struggle on our hands to ever get to where He lived, mentally. To that place where even a cross could not deter His mission of Joy. I so want to be there, to live there. I want to feel the strength that comes from that kind of joy every day. But I will take what I can get. When I can get it. Today I plan to try to keep a better grip on that darn channel changer so that I can keep a more steady outlook!

Holy Spirit, Faithful guide, help me to stay by Your side,

Help me stay my thoughts on You, help me Lord to see this through.

As I live another day, help me live within Your sway,

Help me now to follow on, in the footsteps of the Son.

For the cross that I must know, for the Joy that made You go,

And the strength that joy will bring, I'll thank You, Lord, for everything.

Amen