Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/79

Contributor - Mrs. Sharon Drost

Title - The Secret of Joyful Living

Topic - Meditation

How wistful does it sound, joyful living. In this day and age? How great it would be if it really could be achieved this joyful living? Can it be? Is there a way to discover the secret?

Paul says in Philippians 2: 18, "Rejoice you, no less than I and let us share our joy."

Could it be then, that Paul did discover the secret? He sure did, and he wants to share it with us; and once we possess it, we will have to share it also.

But there are so many questions......

How can we be joyful, when in this world there is so much suffering? How can we be joyful when we know that many starve to death, especially children ... ? How can we be joyful when we know about social problems like poverty, drug abuse ... ? We only have to glance through our daily newspaper to know about the plight of the Vietnamese refugees, about the suffering people go through in war torn countries. The list is endless.

It looks pretty grim, how will we ever find the secret?

Paul's circumstances, when he wrote the letter to the Philippians, were pretty grim, too. He did not know either from one day to the next what was going to happen to him. And yet he said REJOICE!

Yes, Paul did have the secret and he passes it on.

One of the children had to do an assignment on what is the greatest gift parents can pass on to their children.

Many opinions were expressed, none very satisfying at first. After quite a bit of discussion, a decision was made. And here comes the beginning of the secret; what greater gift is there to give than guiding the child to God! How simple it sounds.

That is how simple it is!

Parents like to pass on stories of what happened to them when they were young. Usually they have an eager audience in their children. Many people are interested in what happened long ago.

History is interesting and important, we all realize that.

In his letters, Paul passes on some beautiful history. And in telling us, he passes on the secret of joyful living.

"Jesus, bearing the human likeness, humbled Himself, and in obedience accepted even death, death on the cross. Therefore God raised Him, that every tongue should confess: 'Jesus Christ Is Lord'." (Philippians 2: 8 - 1 1.)

And that is the secret. Jesus Christ is Lord.

He is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth, whatever happens, He knows about it.

Suddenly we begin to see it. We can look to the future curious as to which surprises God has in store for us.

It is going to be exciting.

For sure, the going is not always easy, we will have our ups and downs. But we are confident now. Jesus lives.

What greater gift can there be to pass on to our children?

Now we will have to share what we know. The secret has become common knowledge, so that in the end it will become reality, not only for us, not only for our children, but also for the people who hurt, so that everyone will know.

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