Judgment or Joy

¹² You will go out in joy 
   and be led forth in peace; 
the mountains and hills 
   will burst into song before you, 
and all the trees of the field 
   will clap their hands. -Isaiah 55:12


Did you ever giggle at something in worship and get a dirty look from another worshiper?  Have you ever found yourself clapping to a song during worship only to realize you are the only one moving?  It reminds me of the story of the visitor who came to worship and shouted amens and alleluias during the sermon and raised her hands in praise when she sang or prayed.  After worship, she apologized to the couple sitting next to her for being so boisterous explaining, "I just couldn't help myself... I got the Holy Spirit!"  To which the neighbor replied, "Well, you didn't get it here!"


Do you know what the most popular word to describe Christians is?   No... it certainly isn't "joyful."  Unfortunately, it is "judgmental."  Yes, in the eyes of the unchurched we are judgmental, not joyful... and we do little to dispel that image.  Who would WANT to be like us?


In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had the choice of eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil or the Tree of Life.  We are still choosing judgement over joy millennia later.  


It boils down to whether we would rather be like God judging others, or let God do God's work and we can just relax and take joy in life and in the fact that we have it eternally.  When we do that, we will also have life abundantly and joy will truly be ours.


Father,
Help us to eat from the right tree and leave the judging to you alone.  Amen.


Joys: Noisy, joyful bunch of kids at Day Camp; music; long summer days