One thing which keeps us from experiencing Jesus’ vision in his Sermon on the Mount when it comes to possessions is our discontentment. We have a hard time being content with what we have. There’s always an upgrade, a new model, an improved version, or a larger model than what we have. Our discontentment fuels our desire for more. This keeps us from using possessions in ways that bring honor to God.
One cure for discontentment is the spiritual discipline known as celebration. It is a habit designed to weave joy and gratitude into our lives.
A few weeks ago a man approached me at the gym where I work out. We’ve known each other for a couple of years. He attends a church and he knows I preach for a church. He asked me, “When someone gets baptized at your church, do people clap?” Apparently this issue had come up at his church. Some clapped at a recent baptism and he and others were uncomfortable with it. He said, “We clap at ballgames not at baptisms.”
Some of us Christians seem to have a hard time with this issue of joy. Some of us have a theology with no room for joy—a theology that says we ought to be somber and serious people. Some of us get caught in grumbling and complaining which robs us of joy. Some of us are caught in circumstances that don’t seem to permit joy. I’m afraid that for far too many of us, joy is not a defining trait of our Christian faith.
That’s why it is so helpful to spend time with Paul and his letter to the Philippians. Paul is stuck in a situation where joy would seem impossible. He is in jail. As early as Phil. 1:7 he mentions his “chains.” And this wasn’t the only time Paul was in chains. Paul spent roughly one-quarter of his missionary career in prisons. And prisons were no place for joy. Here’s how one historian describes prisons in Paul’s day:[i] Roman imprisonment was preceded by being stripped naked and then flogged—a humiliating, painful, and bloody ordeal. The bleeding wounds went untreated as prisoners sat in painful leg or wrist chains. Mutilated, bloodstained clothing was not replaced, even in the cold of winter. Most cells were dark, especially the inner cells of a prison, like the one Paul and Silas inhabited in Philippi. Unbearable cold, lack of water, cramped quarters, and sickening stench from few toilets made sleeping difficult and waking hours miserable. Because of the miserable conditions, many prisoners begged for a speedy death. Others simply committed suicide. Paul was put in jail when he first arrived in Philippi. And now he’s writing from jail to the Philippians. It’s not a circumstance conducive to joy.
Yet the one word which is used again and again in Paul’s letter is the word “joy” or “rejoice”:
- In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy… (Phil. 1:4 TNIV)
- But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Phil. 1:18 TNIV)
- Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, (Phil. 1:25 TNIV)
- then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Phil. 2:2 TNIV)
- But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. (Phil. 2:17 TNIV)
- So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (Phil. 2:18 TNIV)
- Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, (Phil. 2:29 TNIV)
- Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. (Phil. 3:1 TNIV)
- Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! (Phil. 4:1 TNIV)
- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4 TNIV)
- I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. (Phil. 4:10 TNIV)
In spite of Paul’s circumstances, joy was still a defining characteristic of his Christian faith. And he wanted it to be a defining characteristic of the Philippians’ faith. Here’s a man who ought not to have any joy writing to Christians who are struggling with joy, and he basically says this: “I am filled with joy! I want you also to be filled with joy!” For Paul, joy and the Christian faith were one and the same. And that joy was possible regardless of circumstances.
In fact, Paul writes this in Phil. 4:12: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil. 4:12 TNIV). The word translated “secret” was also used in pagan religions to refer to the mysteries of that religion which only the initiated could learn.[ii] The pagan religions had secrets and privileges which could be yours only if you went through the process of initiation. Paul uses that word here. He is saying that the Christian faith has a secret; it has a privilege only for those truly initiated into it. And here is that secret: contentment in any situation.
The word “content” means to have sufficient resources, to need no aid. It means to be self-sufficient.[iii] Paul is saying that he has learned the mystery of having sufficient resources for joy regardless of the circumstances. No matter his circumstance, no matter what else he doesn’t have, as long as Paul has Jesus, he’s got all he needs to experience real joy. The great secret of the Christian faith, one that some Christians have not yet discovered, is that Jesus provides the resources for a lasting and unwavering joy—regardless of circumstances. Nothing else is needed. In walking with Jesus Paul finds he is able to have joy in every situation.
A few years ago Christian author Brennan Manning was interviewed.[iv] He said this: I believe that the real difference in the American church is not between conservatives and liberals, fundamentalists and charismatics, nor between Republicans and Democrats. The real difference is between the aware and the unaware. When somebody is aware of that love—the same love that the Father has for Jesus—that person is just spontaneously grateful. Cries of thankfulness become the dominant characteristic of the interior life, and the byproduct of gratitude is joy. Manning is saying the real difference in the American church is not between conservatives and liberals, evangelicals and Pentecostals. The real dividing line is between those who are aware of Paul’s secret and those who are still unaware. The great divide is between those who experience joy as a fundamental aspect of their walk with Jesus and those who don’t.
But this joy doesn’t come easily. So much around us and within us keeps us from experiencing joy. This is why most writers of the spiritual life call Christians to practice a discipline called “celebration.” The best thinkers in Christianity have long-called Christians to practice the discipline of “celebration.” The discipline consists of small things we do to express and experience joy. And the more we practice them, the more joy becomes a part of every facet of our lives. Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline suggests these practices as part of the discipline of celebration:[v]
#1 – Sing, dance, shout and play like children. Especially if you are a parent or grandparent, take some time to get down on the ground and play and dance and laugh in the same way your children or grandchildren do.
#2 – Laugh. Learn to laugh at a good joke. Learn to laugh at yourself. Make a habit of watching good comedy.
#3 – Take joy in the creative works of others. Listen to music or visit a museum or walk through some antique stores and let yourself enjoy the creativity you see and hear.
#4 – Make family events like birthdays, graduations, marriages, and anniversaries occasions of great joy. One of the easiest ways to move toward joy is to learn to throw and enjoy a great party. When that next special occasion comes up, make it a grand celebration.
#5 – Celebrate lesser events like finishing a project, receiving a raise, or eating a meal with someone. Almost every week we experience some lesser, but still important event. Learn to celebrate those.
Foster’s point is that in order to learn the secret of having joy in every circumstance we have to first learn to truly experience the joy that comes in the positive circumstances of life. The more we practice these small disciplines, the more joy will become a defining characteristic of our lives.
Take ten minutes today to celebrate something.
[i] Elesha Coffman quoting John McRay in Christian History (Issue 47).
[ii] Gerald F. Hawthorne, Philippians Word Biblical Commentary (1983), 200.
[iii]James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. (electronic ed.; Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996), G842.
[iv] The Dick Staub Interview: Brennan Manning on Ruthless Trust,” ChristianityToday.com (12-10-02)
[v] Richard Foster Celebration of Discipline Revised and Expanded (Harper & Row, 1978), 197-200.
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