Tales of a Secret Rockstar

My friend Shrah wrote this a couple of weeks ago.  She is a genius.  Read this . . .
 
"I always wonder what true joy looks like, and I've realized it's not one of those characteristic traits you can adopt easily. In fact, I have yet to come across one of those types of characteristic traits. I'll let you know when I do. BUT... I do believe joy is a type of discipline we can practise. Or at least, celebration is. But what about those days where I find joy in nothing? What about my horribly depressing days when I find reason to be negative about the flowers that show up on my doorstep? (Yes, I have those days.) Where does the joy come from then? Because I need to get some !
Joy is the very nature and character of God. But Jesus was also known in the Bible as a man of many sorrows. But "the sorrow of God, like the anger of God, is his temporary response to a fallen world." So my question: if I am to be like Jesus and learn His heart in this fallen world, what should characterize my life, joy or grief? Honestly I hate being serious and downcast. Yet I feel guilty for not being more broken over the things around me everyday that break the heart of God.
It's often hard for me to remember that joy is not a feeling, but rather a choice and an action, much like love. And it's one of those (seemingly) opposite, backwards truths of the Bible: "True joy, as it turns out, comes only to those who have devoted thier lives to something greater than personal happiness" (Ortberg).
In the midst of all the sorrow and heartache, joy was Jesus' PURPOSE: He purposefully endured the cross, scorning its sufferings and shame "for the joy set before him"(Heb. 12:2). "Even the night before his crucifixion, when Jesus prayed his high priestly prayer, he asked the Father that his disciples might be filled with his joy. Jesus saw beyond the cross to the inexpressible joy of salvation's wondrous plan being finished. When he died as the sacrifice for sin and even as he now lives as high priest...it was and is not for himself that he endured the cross. Rather, it was for all those who would believe in him and thereby be filled with his joy and glory. His joyful purpose as he went to the cross was to bring many sons to glory" (Stronstad).
THAT is joy in the midst of brokenness and a fallen world. Joy not for self-purposes, but joy because of the purposes of God among a lost people. If Jesus was living for and focused on himself and his own, fleshly desires, joy would be non-existent and almost an impossibility in the face of his life and sufferings. (Think of how scarce true joy is among people today who live for their own selfish desires and wants.) But what made joy possible was the fact that His purposes were others-centred, focused on the will and purpose of God. It is only when we are focused on God and His purposes and will that we can partake of His nature, which is true joy. And the Word says, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).
So be challenged - if you're not already one of those naturally joyful, bubbly, optimistic, happy-even-in-the-morning kinda persons (who often challenge me the most :P) - to choose joy, cuz even those people have their days :) Be blessed !"
 
 
P.S. "Shrah" is not her real name, it is a nickname.  A shortened version of her real name.  Her real name has an "E" in it somewhere.  See if you can guess where.