On Tuesday evening Monica and I entered into an interesting week – one that is filled with additional responsibility … and great joy. It started with us packing our suitcases and moving out of our condo, traveling about ten minutes to South Offshore Drive. However things really got underway once Matt and Rachel, with bags packed, headed to Metro Airport for a weeklong journey across the sea. The increased responsibility comes with two names, Brooklyn and Andi, with whom we will be living for the week. Fortunately, God is merciful … not only are they wonderful grandchildren (aren’t they all?!), but we also get the weekend off to rest our (I expect) weary bodies!
Now that I think about it, though, the weekend is more of a “change of pace” than “R+R” because it is filled with another great joy that is accompanied by responsibility. Saturday we will be traveling to Valparaiso, IN to celebrate a nephew’s 40th birthday … and then returning on Sunday (with a stop in Taylor to pick up “B+A”). We have long felt a lasting responsibility to keep family ties close even when miles and states separate us. Generally, though, the joy has outweighed the sense of responsibility … thus I am not sure if today I am talking about “Responsibility with Joy” or “Joy with Responsibility.” Maybe you can figure it out for me.
My prayer, however, is that you naturally and automatically connect this thought to your walk with Jesus. In fact, this connection, I believe, introduces the answer to my previous dilemma. Our walk with Jesus, like the week Monica and I have entered into, is filled with responsibility and joy (or is it joy and responsibility?) While walking with his disciples on the way to Gethsemane (think betrayal, arrest, denial, …) Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide I my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15.9-11) Our Lord’s brother later expands this thought, writing, “Count it joy, my sisters and brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”(James 1.2-3) I believe that both Jesus and James are suggesting that joy is multiplied when complimented with responsibility … and that responsibility should always be viewed as a joy-producing gift.
In fact, The Message paraphrases James’ words this way: “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1.2-4; MSG) I, for one, believe that “mature and well-developed” people are filled with joy. And I don’t even want to imagine a life “deficient” of joy!
My mind is now going in a hundred different directions into which “responsibility and joy” (or is it “joy and responsibility”) lead us. Definitions always help me. When thinking about “responsibility” I believe we should all hear the word “stewardship”. Stewardship, according to Merriam Webster is “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” Here are a few of the first “one hundred or so” things that God has entrusted to my care (and, by the way, yours – in most cases): (my) body, (my) spouse, (my) children, (my) grandchildren – especially this week! … condo, car, finances, neighbors, … and, last but not nearly least, my Christian witness (loving service in prayer, word, and deed) in the world.
Joy, also according to www.merriam-webster.com, is “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” The Bible Project (https://bibleproject.com) expands this thought: “Biblical joy is more than a happy feeling. It’s a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises.” And I’m sure your realize, Saint Paul simply writes, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, …”(Galatians 5.22) … something God naturally and automatically produces in us as we “walk/live by the Spirit” (Galatians 5.16, 25)
Take ministry as an example in my life. I have long told Monica that my best days are the days that I get to spend visiting with people. Whether in homes or hospitals, assisted living, nursing homes or funeral homes, the enjoyment I experience during these visits is special. Yet, at the same time, I recognize that in those visits I bear the responsibility of bringing Christ Jesus with me and sharing his healing and hope building Gospel into our conversation. In retirement I continue to experience this responsibility with joy (or is it joy with responsibility) while preaching, leading worship, attending meetings, and every conversation and all relationships … be it family (especially this week!) … friends … church … neighbors … work … restaurants … (and I am back to that “hundred different directions” again). I pray that you recognize the very same combo in your life.
So, what do you think? Is it “responsibility with joy” or “joy with responsibility”? Or are they simply like “horse and carriage”? As you think about this, I encourage your thoughts to lean toward Thorton Wilder’s Our Town (1955 TV production) and not Married … with Children.
Responsibility with Joy
By
/ 