{"id":5489,"date":"2024-04-26T16:57:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T20:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=5489"},"modified":"2025-11-24T10:51:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:51:46","slug":"sorrowful-yet-always-rejoicing-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=5489","title":{"rendered":"The Juxtaposition of Sorrow and Joy (Republished as Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing In the Moments)"},"content":{"rendered":"
I was teaching a two week interim class at the Governor’s School of Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, South Carolina. My mom had been complaining of abdominal pain for a few weeks. We hoped it was her diverticulitis, but when antibiotics didn’t clear it up, the doctor talked about something more serious. They scheduled exploratory surgery the day I was finishing up class.<\/p>\n
I hadn’t heard anything when the class ended. So I headed home along a dark rural road. Suddenly my car lost all power. I clutched the steering wheel and navigated to the narrow shoulder of the road, as a massive eighteen wheeler whizzed by, shaking the car. Later, I discovered that my oil pump had failed, causing the engine to seize.<\/p>\n
Almost simultaneously, my cell phone rang. It was my wife. Mom was out of surgery. She had stage three primary peritoneal cancer. I stumbled through a couple of questions, and ended the call.<\/p>\n
I called a tow truck and settled in the darkness for them to arrive. The two events had happened so closely together, I could barely take them in. It all felt surreal. I was numb.<\/p>\n
As I waited, I began to feel God’s presence. Slowly, but ever so steadily, I sensed the warmth of His peace. The feeling intensified to something I can only describe as joy. Not the kind which would cause exuberant celebration, but the deep joy of God being near, closer than a breath.<\/p>\n
In spite of what had just happened, there was a strange understanding that everything was okay, no matter how things would turn out.<\/p>\n
In His Presence is fullness of Joy. (Psalm 16:11b<\/strong>)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
I learned from this experience that being okay is not a matter of my circumstances always working out, it’s about my being with God.<\/p>\n
Redeemed<\/span><\/h4>\n
About a month later, my wife and I had church at Mom’s house one Sunday. <\/p>\n
After singing a hymn, we read portions of Isaiah 43.<\/p>\n
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;<\/span><\/em> <\/span>I have summoned you by name; you are mine (Isaiah 43:1b<\/strong> NASB).<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
When we finished reading, Mom said, “redeemed” in a way which made us think she had a new understanding of the word in this context.<\/p>\n
Looking back I wonder if she’d first heard the word as a little girl, returning pop bottles at Coopers Grocery. I wish I’d asked her then.<\/p>\n
Before that Sunday morning, she\u2019d often ask me if she\u2019d lived a good enough life to go to heaven. No matter how many times I reminded her that our “good life” doesn’t get us to heaven, she’d ask me the same thing later.<\/span><\/p>\n
Seven months later, mom would be gone. Surgery and chemo left her weak and despondent. About a day before she died, my brother, sister and I showed up, unplanned, at her care facility. We were surprised we all picked the same time. We watched her unconscious breathing for a while. Each said our goodbyes, and walked out together. She would die before any of us would see her again.<\/p>\n
After that Sunday morning, right after her diagnosis, she told me she was no longer afraid to die. Isaiah 43, and the presence of God\u2019s Spirit, transformed her fear.<\/p>\n
She believed that Jesus had lived that “good life” for her and that His death on the cross had redeemed<\/span><\/em> her soul for eternity.<\/p>\n
Even now, over twelve years later, this brings me indescribable joy.<\/p>\nMom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Challenge<\/span><\/h4>\n
No matter what you’re going through right this moment, peace and the joy of the Lord’s presence are available. <\/p>\n
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!<\/span> 5 <\/sup>Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.<\/span> 6 <\/sup>Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.<\/span> 7 <\/sup>And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7<\/strong> NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
We can’t look for sustaining joy in our circumstances. The world offers much sorrow. Look instead to Jesus, the Sustainer of our souls.<\/p>\n
The follow verse reminds us that God’s nearness is our ultimate good: But as for me, the nearness of God is my good. <\/span><\/em><\/span>(Psalm 73:28b<\/strong> NASB 1995).<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
The juxtaposition of sorrow and rejoicing, in Paul’s life and in ours, captures the essence of faith<\/p>\n
Prayer<\/span><\/h4>\n
Lord, thank You. You make me aware of Your joyful presence no matter what I face. It’s so easy for me to try and find joy in how I’m doing. Thank You that You want more for me than that. You give me deep, solid peace and joy<\/strong> which is unaffected by anything I face. Please keep me aware that You are my Delight, my Joy, my Life, my King. Amen.<\/i><\/p>\n
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