In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, celebrity Brad Pitt reflected on his lead role in the movie Fight Club, which is about a man who has the American dream and yet remains unsatisfied:
Pitt: Man, I know all these things are supposed to seem important to us—the car, the condo, our version of success—but if that’s the case, why is the general feeling out there reflecting more isolation and desperation and loneliness? If you ask me, I say toss all this—we gotta find something else. Because all I know is that, at this point in time, we are heading for a dead end, a numbing of the soul, a complete atrophy of the spiritual being. And I don’t want that.
Rolling Stone: So, if we’re heading toward this kind of existential dead end in society, what do you think should happen?
Pitt: Hey, man, I don’t have those answers yet. The emphasis now is on success and personal gain. [smiles] I’m sitting in it, and I’m telling you, that’s not it. I’m the guy who’s got everything. I know. But I’m telling you, once you’ve got everything, then you’re just left with yourself. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it doesn’t help you sleep any better, and you don’t wake up any better because of it.
Citation: Rolling Stone Magazine (10-28-1999)
The life of a follower of Jesus is supposed to be filled with joy. I must admit, however, that it hasn’t always been for me. It’s taking me a very long time to understand and receive all the gifts of Jesus. I wish I could say that every church does a great job of teaching us how to be joyful, but alas … not so.
If you are one of God’s slow learners, like I am, I would like to help you speed things up. To understand the meaning of joy, let’s discuss the difference between joy and fun.
Jesus said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
We always say to people, “Have fun!” And fun is good. The joyful life of a Christian includes lots of fun!
Fun and joy are different in these ways:
Fun is temporary … Joy is permanent. Fun is sought … Joy is received. (The Scripture above says it came from Jesus.) Fun does not guarantee that we will also have peace and joy. Joy on the other hand is released within us by the hope and peace that characterize who we are.
Fun by the world’s standards can sometimes involve destructive behavior. People may get hurt feelings or may destroy friendships. The well-being of others is not necessarily a consideration. The point is to make oneself feel better. And when the activity is over and the fun goes away, sometimes they are left with an emptiness. Eventually they become desperate for another “fix” because there is no inherent joy that keeps residence in their spirit. This is the condition Brad Pitt spoke of in his interview.
Fun for the Christian is designed to bless everyone involved, not just oneself.
I invite you, if you are not already doing so, to let the joy loose in your life. When you receive good news, rejoice! The shepherds who were watching over their flocks must have had the promises of God built into them. The Israelites were trained to memorize Scripture. Only the elite class could read. The common people would do their best to store God’s Word in their hearts. So, when the angels spoke and sang of the birth of the Savior, they knew exactly what that meant. Their eyes lit up; their hearts leapt. They didn’t wait until tomorrow to check it out.
When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.” (Luke 2:15)
Someone tried to teach us about joy when we were kids. Sadly, many adults have forgotten how to sing it and still mean it. “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart … down in my heart to stay!”
Christmas Blessings,
Chaplain Mark