The whole chapter from where I got this verse (or part of it anyhow) from talks about Jesus being the Vine, God being the Vine Grower, and we, the branches... that apart from Him, we can do nothing... that to bear fruit, the Vine Grower prunes us.
It could've been said any better.
This whole month, that has been one constant message. Joy. In God. With Him. Through Him. Only Him.
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Two thoughts, beliefs, truths pretty much summed up tonight's prayer meeting with the girls: faith and eyes fixed/focused on God.
We talked about JOY, in the context of lasting joy - in and through everything. In and through all the ups and downs of life; in and through all the weaknesses, strengths, and what have yous... about finding joy in everything - the littlest, pettiest of happy things to the biggest of all afflictions.
It's not a walk in the park, believe me.
I have been in community for years now and it's been one amazing, wonderful journey. But it hasn't been a bed of roses.It has been one rough ride, too, what with moments of strengths tested, drowned in all weaknesses, temptations abounding, the list goes on...
But lasting Joy is about finding it in Christ Jesus, in a life committed to living for Him and Him alone.
For truly, when one commits His life to God, all else has meaning. All else makes sense.
I speak for myself here when I say that I have been always blessed with almost everything. I have been raised well, I've had such a blissful childhood, I belong to an amazing family, and I can think of a million more reasons to say I am simply simply blessed by God. Almost spoiled even.
But when I look at those times when I was way up there, enjoying the triumph of a blessed life, and thinking to myself that I accomplished all those for myself, it just didn't make sense much. Or there was a certain void or incompleteness that sucked the life out of the triumph I was experiencing. Something was somehow amiss.
Modestly speaking, I finished my entire early education in elementary and high school almost always at the top of the class. I was always sure of myself and of the things I wanted to accomplish. And I did accomplish many, most even, of them. And I always believed that I did it, I accomplished all, by myself. Simply because I felt I was good. I was very good. But at the hype of it or after the hype, I simply go tumbling down. It was like reaching the top of the mountain successfully, then I could no longer figure out what was next to do, so I rolled down back to the ground...
But ever since I devoted myself to God and struggling to live my life for Him, even the simplest of things I appreciate. Even the smallest of blessings, I see His hand in them. Everything suddenly just had meaning. Suddenly, reaching the top of the mountain meant so much more because I acknowledged the One Being who brought me up there. This time, after reaching the top, I don't simply roll down back to the ground. Instead, I savor the feeling on top and I appreciate all the beauty I see from the top, I look back in awe at the journey toward the top... everything has meaning, all makes sense. All lead back to God. I am appreciative.
That is the difference. Drawing joy from my faith.
Through the bad times, I am reminded to look beyond the difficulty. My friend Junjun always reminded me that when these tough times come, instead of asking and questioning God, "Why God why?" I should be asking Him, "What are you trying to tell me in all these, God?"
Again, choosing joy over wallowing in sorrow when these afflictions arise. Choosing faith. Focusing on God, believing always that He will see us through and won't allow us to drown in difficulty.
***
Life is blissful, truly.
Joy in Him, through Him, with Him.
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