INTRODUCTION

The apostle Paul encourages us to: Rejoice in the Lord always. (Philippians 4:4) Yet, how can we accept his words with any sense of integrity? The constancy of always troubles us. Rejoicing, when there is so much that is broken, sick, and distressful in our lives and in our world, feels unattainable and even cruel.

We rejoice always because joy is a journey. It is a journey of gratitude and love in the companionship of Jesus who promises us new life beyond our pain. Journeys are a mixed bag. We walk. We run. We stumble. We rest. We get lost. But we stay the course. We don’t give up. Joy’s journey works the same way. It is stubborn persistence to stay the course and not give up that defines rejoicing always.

The poet Mary Oliver has wise words for us on the necessity of walking the journey of joy:

Don't Hesitate by Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty

of lives and whole towns destroyed or about

to be. We are not wise, and not very often

kind. And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this

is its way of fighting back, that sometimes

something happens better than all the riches

or power in the world. It could be anything,

but very likely you notice it in the instant

when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the

case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid

of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

From Swan: Poems and Prose Poems by Mary Oliver, Beacon Press 2010