Recovery of Joy in a Lutheran Context

This is the first installment of a few wranglings I foresee on the topic of "joy" as a benchmark of living as a disciple of Jesus in the 21st century. Specifically, I wish to approach this subject through a Lutheran lens.

In Seminary, I learned much about the Bible. I learned much about Church history. I learned about preaching and attending to pastoral care. I learned about family systems and about the postmodern context. I learned much about the doctrines of God, justification, and salvation. Yet, and I believe this is due to our heavy Lutheran focus on the doctrine of justification, I don't recall learning much about the daily characteristics of what a disciple of the risen Jesus looks like. Joy, I believe, belongs in the realm of sanctification, and there aren't many Lutherans who are willing to cross over into that realm for fear of any synergistic (50 cent theological word of the day) efforts.

I did hear that a disciple is to advocate for justice and peace. I learned that a disciple takes care of the poor and hungry. I did learn that a disciple is one who confesses Jesus as Lord, believes in the Trinity, and has cursory ideas about the atonement. I did read about how a disciple loves the Lord our God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and loves my neighbor as myself. This is not a mushy-gushy kind of love, but a call to suffering love. I guess I really did learn much about a disciple's life of service/ministry in the Lord, but what about the attitudes that a disciple bears in this service. Recently, I am rediscovering the need for joy in living the life of a disciple. Joy is not only a benchmark but also serves as a motivating agent in the life of a disciple.

I believe Lutherans have several knee jerk reactions to stating that joy is a benchmark of being a disciple. Joy is too much of a feeling for us. And for a people who predominantly associate with a Northern European culture, feelings aren't readily expressed.

Jesus prayed for our joy. In John 15:11, he remarks, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." One of our knee jerk reactions to joy is also that it is associated with happiness, and happiness nowadays is such a superficial and fleeting feeling. And for Lutherans who value the centrality of the somberness of Jesus' cross and passion, it is hard to imagine any semblance of joy pervading our lifestyle. How can joy, sacrifice, humility, and suffering abide in the same space? "One of these things is different than the other, which one could it be???"

But when I look back to those initial moments when I discovered God's grace pro me, I remember profound feelings of joy. This joy stemmed from knowing that my future was one of hope and not despair, of true happiness and not sorrow, of praise and not cursing. Joy made me want to tell the world about what was revealed to me. Joy made me want to engage worship more fully, the community more fully, and explore my faith more fully.

Joy has stayed with me in the toughest of moments. Even in my darkest pits, the fact of God's reigning in our future keeps me strong and brings me through to God's new day. There is a time for sackcloth to be worn and dirt to be thrown over our heads. But do we stay there in that spot? Is joy a psychological construct to avoid and repress hard feelings of life?

Or do we begin to live life as a new creation, one created in joy that sustains us through all of life's trials??

Again from John 16: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

And from Romans 14: For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;

OK...my thoughts are pretty loose, but like I said, it's only wrangling.

Fight the good fight of faith!
PT