This is the Moment
This week Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, is serving as the “textbook” for our devotional thoughts. While most of his mentoring came to me through his writings, I was privileged to participate in two seminars where he was the keynote speaker. They were wonderful experiences.
“We are inclined to think that when we are sad we cannot be glad, but in the life of a God-centered person, sorrow (all other emotions, too) and joy can exist together. That isn't easy to understand...”
Today is a good day to learn about joy. Joy is an attitude. Joy is not an emotion. Mad, glad and sad are emotions (one person authored a book listing and describing about 365 different emotions). Joy is an attitude we choose to keep developing and nurturing when we experience those moments when our emotions are “a bit out of balance.” We cannot choose our emotions, but we can choose our attitude.
A little example might help: Have you ever noticed how some people feel bitter about a particular life event while other people feel excited about the same event? One person has cultivated an attitude of resentment, the other an attitude of joy. Every moment in life presents us with opportunity to cultivate an attitude of joy. So today, whatever emotion comes your way (mad, glad or sad), I challenge you to express your emotion and examine how you can cultivate a spirit of joy. Honestly, I've discovered joy in every moment by believing that “nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of God.”
Enjoy each moment today.
--Ben Keckler
02.22.11
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