The I's of March

Caesar was warned to "beware the Ides of March." The warning Caesar laughed off is now the infamous catch phrase associated with the beginning of the end for Rome. March has not escaped a year since 44 BC without being reminded of this.

The I's of March speak to a warning placed on my heart this year. "Your time is not your own; it belongs to God who created time. If God gives you a few more years, remember, it is not yours. Your time must honor God."- Tozer.

How do we stay joyful with everything going on? Harm is promised to us and we not only are warned but instructed on how to address it. "Be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reveling." (1Pet3:8-9) The outpouring of love mentioned is the most important fruit of the Spirit, but my focus this week has been on the fruit of joy. If we are to have joy, which I believe is the inherent byproduct of true worship-filled living, we must beware of the I's. When thoughts, words and actions  revolve around us, we are hindering ourselves from experiencing the joy designed for those who believe. A new friend of mine brought to light the difference between happiness and joy. One is of the world and the other is of God. People often dilute the English language so much it causes words to shift their meanings. Time is required to rediscover what we actually say sometimes.

March in more recent years (compared to 44BC) has become synonymous with madness. Basketball spreads in a feverish way when the calendar flips over. In analysis, brackets, conversation, and many other media outlets mobs of people get infected. Happiness is found in this for people. I usually find myself happier this time of year because I can use these games as a common topic to speak with my closest friends and even strangers at the gas pump. The fact remains it can become a form of artificial worship, detrimental to my spiritual health, providing temporary happiness but robbing joy.

Duke University (not that I am bias) provides a great example for the happy vs joy idea this time of year. Outdoor worship services called the Blue Flame Worship Explosion were held on campus March 20 - March 26. (Obviously this is not enough to keep the mens' basketball team on a winning streak) "While our whole school is seemingly captivated by basketball, we are proposing an alternative to bring more peace to March," said Regine Jean-Baptiste, one of the organizers of the Duke Christian events.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/25/amid-march-madness-some-christians-decry-sports-worship/

Jean-Baptiste says these services are in an effort to bring peace to March, but I also see the evidence for joy to be pointed to on campus. Joy is the result of our daily living and worshiping in spirit and truth. The Duke students worshiping provided the model for those looking to be joyful. Saint Anslem stresses the point, in his written devotions, we are created to praise. If we are "occupied in nothing else than His praises" we will undoubtedly, through righteous service, draw nearer unto Him. Joy is found in this nearness, while realizing it is not about "I" but others. Consistent pursuit in this life of worship creates the platform for sustained joy.

Happiness is the flip-side of the coin. Best described this morning in a fictitious story about a family in the car.  The Pastor of The Crossing Church, Greg Dumas, drove home a point, concerning happiness being in the world, by describing a trip to Disney. Think of it in relation to the sacrifice of Christ. Driving to Disney with the kids in the back seat should be a trip soaked in happiness, but the kids are in the back seat going at each other. "How could you be fighting? I am taking you to Disney." The "happy" will be found at the entrance gate, and sustained in every ride an show. Happiness (nor joy) could be found in the car simply because the sacrifice made to take a Disney trip could not be understood by children.

Disney is happy, and March Madness is a lot of fun for me. Meanwhile, I will remember joy is understanding the sacrifice Jesus made concerning His incredible trip on earth and how he paid for my way. Accepting the ticket He bought for me, and living out a life in appreciation of His unimaginable sacrifice, will bring the joy every person longs for.

We all have been given this time, and it is not about us. When the brackets are busted, or the rides are over, do we still have His joy?