“The heights can scare us. Storms move in fast. The weather is unpredictable. The path narrows, grows steep and hard. But if we can put our fear behind us, we can discover untold joy. The heights can represent hard times in life, barren seasons of wondering. But . . . God gives us the ability and strength to navigate rugged times. Joy follows travail.”- Timothy D. Willard
“The Sovereign LORD is my strength. He makes me as surefooted as the deer, able to tread upon the heights.”- Habakkuk 3:11 (NLT)
In Chapter 14 (“Shout with Me the Sound of Lightness: The Footpath of Everlasting Joy”) of The Beauty Chasers, Timothy Willard reminds us that God wired us for adventure. Furthermore, the author asserts, God ingrained the wilds into our DNA. And those wilds include not only the wilds we look upon with muted are, but also the wilds of:
- worship
- pain and struggle
- war and peace
Also, Timothy notes, God set all of those wilds in the mountains of life. Most significantly, though, God also set Himself on the heights. In addition, God lives there and invites us into His presence. But, the author asks, will we go?
Next, Timothy takes a look at two aspects of joy. First, he emphasizes, joy breathes out of us, our gasp at the beautiful.
Thus, Tim describes joy as an experience, a remembrance. A vagabond shard of heaven God lets loose on the prairies, mountains, and shores. Because that shard makes us long for heaven, it cuts us with its poignancy.
In conclusion, the author observes, we long for that moment when our reaction to the beautiful caused us so much joy. Yet, joy seems to show up when we least expect it. Therefore, it’s true that in our moments of play, when expectations scatter and disappear, that joy finds us – unguarded.
Today’s question: What Bible verses give you strength to navigate rugged truths? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The prismed world of joy”
