Possessing the Secret of Joy

And all copyright et al to Alice Walker…

A decade or so ago the African-America writer Alice Walker wrote a book entitled ‘Possessing the Secret of Joy.’’ I never read that book, but the title always stuck with me. And I am convinced that many, many people around the world have purchased the book over the years not for its literary excellence, but simply because of the title: for we all want to possess the secret of Joy.

Joy
The noun we all seek, and at the same time the noun which is at any one moment intrinsically surrounding us. But the secret of possessing joy is often dependent on the span of our focus. Do I choose to focus on that large utility bill which has just arrived to remind me that my disposable income this quarter will be limited, or can I instead choose to be thankful that I have a job and can honour this large utility bill in the first place?

So often in life we find ourselves longing for more. More happiness, more wealth, a better car, greater business growth, more obedience to God, promotion - more, more, more. It is indeed right in my own viewpoint to long for more; and I am accustomed to the notion of wanting more.


Maximising the moment
My worry though is this – that in the longing for more, I may not be maximising the moment, and yet I so very much need to maximise every moment, for therein lies the secret of joy.

I am learning therefore that my own obligation in that process is to ensure that I give my best to every task before me so that I am qualified to ask for more – and that takes some doing.

But perhaps it is this challenge of giving your utmost best to any task (be it your relationships, your business or your career) that must precede a desire for more. That’s the notion of ‘having done all – stand’ – Ephesians 6.

Might we firstly proceed on why it is important to long for more?

Insatiable by nature and limitless in appetite
Who was it that said human beings are insatiable by nature and that limitless appetite, being natural, is good? Whoever s/he was s/he must have been influenced by Biblical truths for the Bible records that we should be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4 verse 6).

The Biblical advice is this: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The implication being that in our desire for increase we often worry ourselves sick about how to get more.

The evidence of progress
Yet we must want more, for more is often the evidence of progress. But in so doing let us also choose to balance this desire with a deep appreciation of our accomplishments to date; and with gratitude for how far we have come on our journey. Pause.

Did you have the influence that you do today five, three, two years ago? Did you have the quality of the understanding, wisdom, assets and investments that you do today five, three, two years ago? That is maximising the moment number one.

Then, let us balance that with a further appreciation of the progress targets we have set for ourselves for the future – and we must have progress targets for the future. Pause. That’s maximising the moment number two: toiling in expectation of your harvest.

Our roadmap, the Bible, puts it succinctly in the book of Proverbs chapter 6, verses 6 to 8: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest”.

Making Comparisons
Part of the problem though is that we are always comparing ourselves with others around us who seem to be doing so much better than ourselves. That seems like a journey of dispossessing the secret of joy. Why so? Because our commissions, our experiences, our challenges and our victories are never going to be the same as those around us, and if at all we do chose to compare ourselves with other people, we must remember to do so within context. Note the dialogue of Jesus and the centurion in the book of Matthew chapter 8.

How can we maximise the moment? Well, I don’t often get this right, but I am making an effort to maximise every moment. I am remembering that I must try to keep my spirits high in amongst of the various responsibilities and commitments which compete for my attention –even if I don’t feel like it.

I am learning the need to be more patient, and I am realising the crucial importance of impacting my generation through my words, thoughts and deeds; and I am learning to take time to read, to take time to study and improve my knowledge base in my sphere of influence. These all necessitate me to maximise the moment.

Sounds toilsome?
Where is the joy in doing all of the above, for indeed quite literally this translates into work? Well, possessing the secret of joy will take work – and that’s the harsh reality of life.

The story of the ant in Proverbs 6 comes to mind again. It is often said that to succeed in life you ought to determine what it is you like doing (your passion), and having done that, remember that your vocation might be just that. Perhaps it is because when you do have a passion about something (read: your vocation, not your job), you can survive the pressures, the offences, the late nights, and the frustrations much better than you would if you did not give a hoot about the job you are involved in. When you do all of this what are you actually engaged in? To my mind you are dancing to the rhythm of life – therein is the secret of possessing joy.

My floral release: counting it all joy
Sometime ago I used to purchase fresh flowers for my home on a weekly basis, and I always, always looked forward to my visit to the florist. I loved to smell the variety of scents at the florist and the beauty of the many, many colourful flowers therein displayed.

I had a particular place for my flowers at home. They were always placed at the entrance of my home, and they were the very first thing that I saw as I arrived home, and the very last thing I saw every night as I left the living room to enter my bedroom. The colours and the scent of each weekly arrangement always captivated me. No matter how terrible a day I had had, no matter the freezing cold outside when I came into the house, I would always appreciate the gazing, calming floral arrangement.

Don’t get me wrong. That floral arrangement did not bring an end to whatever burden I had brought home with me. But it did help me to appreciate my surroundings and to maximise the moment. It helped me to appreciate that I had a sanctuary of my own (my home) in which I could place my therapeutic flora, and it helped me to appreciate the importance of paying attention to even the little pleasures of life.

It reminded me that in everything I ought to give thanks.