Joy in the Desert

While growing up in northern California, our family would take yearly trips to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where many of our closest relatives lived. There were sections of our two-day journey that always seemed so long and unending. One of those sections was the road from Barstow, California to Kingman, Arizona, and the other was from Kingman, Arizona to Grants, New Mexico. For whatever reason I just could not get enjoyment out of those sections of the trip. Basically it was simply desert—dry, lifeless desert. But as I grew older my affection and appreciation for the desert began to increase. Slowly I became aware of the unique silence and expanse of the desert—that peculiar isolation that the desert offered. Getting out of the car in the middle of absolutely nowhere and feeling and hearing only the warm desert breeze became absolutely awe-inspiring and a thrill for me. Whenever I take my yearly vacation I always consider places that will have wide-open desert terrain.

Interestingly, however, I have found that many people cannot quite understand my longing to travel through the desert. For many of them the thought of the desert brings images of what I experienced as a child—the arid and lonely place where no one lives. But something happened in my mind. A transformation took place. For some reason my mind was able to experience the desert in a whole new way. It was able to appreciate that which previously was somewhat despised. In fact, I have taken friends to the desert who likewise have come to appreciate the eerie barrenness of the desert. For them and me it took some thought, and quite frankly it took experience. I needed to actually be there in the middle of it—to step into its beauty and tranquil solitariness. Through pondering and experiencing the desert, what used to be a far from desirable place became a haven, which I desire to see at least on a yearly basis.

But some very important things had to happen: First, there had to be that mental step that was taken in order for me to be willing to walk out into the desert. Then I needed to follow through with that step and actually enter into the experience. Once I was right in the middle of it all, I then had to ponder what it was that I was experiencing. I had to examine my surroundings and contemplate the incredible reality that God actually created this. God actually had specific intention to design this, what seemed to be, forsaken land. He had every tumbleweed and cactus, every mountain and edifice of sandstone, every purple and orange color of the desert sky, planned from eternity. And beyond this, and even more incredibly, He specifically had planned that day for me to enjoy this creation for His glory. He intended for me to get out in that wilderness and begin to admire not merely the creation, but to actually admire Him for creating it, so that I, one of His children, would enjoy this vast piece of art. He had designed the desert creation as a most unique and interactive piece of art in which I would participate. But there had to be a different mindset. I had to view the desert with different eyes. The time had come for me to view the desert through God’s eyes rather than my own eyes. Maybe we could identify this change of mind as looking on the bright side; or another way some might put it: seeing things in a different light.

Is it possible that this could be one of the greatest solutions to the problem of lacking joy? We hear the command from friends, family, and co-workers all the time, "Just look on the bright side." Many times we just hear it, give a pacifying acknowledgment, and then move on with more dread and a dark mental forecast.

Many in the world can find pleasure out of that desert experience. But their pleasure is so limited because even though they can appreciate such beauty, they have no one to thank for that beauty. Some part of them is very glad, and even perhaps in a way thankful for the beauty. But whom have they to thank if they are looking only to their experience to fulfill their joy? They experience it, then they drive home. However, to the one who recognizes the Designer and one of the chief purposes behind the design, that person can revel in communing with the very Artist who specifically created it for Himself and for His child to enjoy. After God created the heaven and the earth, He created the light that would lighten the creation. For without that light, there could be no color to be seen in the creation:

Sometimes finding beauty in the creation can be difficult. The example of my desert experience is a rather grand example of finding joy in creation. But what about the little things in life? After all, most of us do not get to experience vacations throughout the year. And if the only time we find real joy is when the big things happen, then for the vast majority of the year we will be somewhat sorrowful, with the exception of vacation time. In fact, this could be taken to the micro level. Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "living for the weekend." Sadly, this is how many people view life. They view the workweek as the hardship of life that will help pay for the fun they will have on the weekend. Wednesday is called hump day because it marks the middle of that week, and now they are on their way to finishing up the dreaded work so they can live it up on the weekend. Friday night is great. Then Saturday is free. Sunday can be great too. However, for many Christians, they must wake up and go to church. This takes away a good part of their weekend. But they try to make the most of their afternoon—to get in as much as possible before the end of the day. Then it happens. It is bedtime. Reality strikes. They must return to their dismal full-time job. The joy is gone. Back to the same old routine. For believer and unbeliever this is a prevalent reality. To a greater degree on the micro level, it is four hours while longing for lunch; five days while longing for the weekend; fifty weeks while longing for the vacation; and thirty-plus years while longing for retirement. Is there a solution? Is there some way that a person can cast off the monotony of what I like to call full time syndrome? I believe there is a way, but it requires the utmost diligence and disciplined thought. It is hard to contemplate thinking in a disciplined manner when what a person is really wanting is rest from their work.

We must begin at the micro level. If we only seek to find the solution at the macro level, we will only expect joy on the weekends. Some may expect it at vacation time. Some may even only expect it at retirement. But imagine a life where joy was around every corner; at every business meeting; at every grocery store; in every phone call; at every meal; with every drink of water. Imagine if there was joy, a profound joy in every adverse experience. If this really could happen in our lives, and we knew there was a solution to our discouragement, would we all not pay virtually anything to get it? Well, I believe the solution is there, and it is free. But again, it requires some disicipline. How do we find joy in the little things? More importantly, how do we find joy in everything? We can find this joy, but first we must release some baggage.

Some of us have had bad religious experiences. Sometimes in religion there is a false piety in our surrounding that can affect us adversely. That is, sometimes our religious environment can be such that we are taught to not really have joy. Rather, we are taught (in so many words) that sorrow is the lot of life for the Christian—that we are destined, while in this physical life, to suffer hardship and to just wait patiently until death when all will be well. We are taught that this mentality is a godly mentality. Granted, in some environments it may not be so overtly declared, yet the underlying attitude is one of negativity for this life, with our only hope of rest being in physical death. I would like to suggest, yea, adamantly suggest, that the Bible prescribes instruction that is utterly foreign to that type of religious thinking—that in the words of Scripture, God provides the greatest and most certain solution for discouragement. We have already observed that God is our exceeding joy, and that certainly is our foundational premise for this journey out of discouragement. However, again, how do we find joy in the little things? Must we wait for the grand experiences of life such as vacation or retirement to experience joy? Is there a possible way to find joy in virtually everything we experience? Let us look at the smallest things in which we can have joy. Some of these things may seem so trivial to us, and depending upon past experience, we may even feel guilty for experiencing joy in such little things? Why? Because we have learned or even taught ourselves that it is not proper to get too excited over little things. But is it possible that God delights in His children delighting in little things? Once we are willing to forsake any kind of baggage, be it religious, familial, or social baggage that would detract us from finding joy in even the smallest things, this will be our road to recovery—joyful recovery—from the seasons of discouragement that have so occupied our minds.

So what do I mean by "little things?" If I speak of finding joy at the top of one of the peaks in the Sangre De Cristo Mountain range in Colorado overlooking the San Luis Valley, one might view that as a "big thing," in which it is easy to find joy because I am away from busy society and the usual problems of the day. However, is it possible that we can find joy in something as little as a fragrance? Consider a soothing fragrance that reminds you of a friend you once knew, or perhaps a family member. I remember when I had a girlfriend who wore a perfume that was just so pleasant to me. She eventually broke off our relationship, but I was so pleased with the smell of her perfume that I bought some for my mother. Eventually I became so used to that smell on my mother that whenever I would smell it in a doctor’s office or a movie theatre, I would immediately be reminded of my dear mother. It was a lovely smell, and even to this day, when I smell that fragrance, it brings me great delight. It is very calming to me. It makes me joyful, for it makes me think of my mother. But can I go so far as to say that this is a godly experience? We cannot go so far as to say that all "joy" is godly. For example one may rejoice in hurting a person or stealing from someone, both of which are explicitly forbidden in Scripture. However, I believe the Scripture teaches that receiving joy from something such as a fragrance is a gift of God and may be confidently and joyfully experienced by the Christian:

In these experiences of wonderful fragrances or cattle ranches, there is joy that strikes my heart as I either remember special times or people. In these smells I delight in fond memories. And in this delight a certain passage come to mind:

Let’s take what some would consider a little thing to a different level. Consider a husband/father whose greatest joy is to come home and experience the thrill and pleasure of romancing his wife. Consider the warmth he finds in holding their new baby in his arms. But every three to six months his job requires him to be away on business trips, sometimes for as much as two weeks per trip. Upon his arrival to the hotel each night, he recalls the sweet fragrance of the perfume that he is so accustomed to smelling each day on his beautiful wife. He also recalls the smell of the baby’s breath and skin. Imagine the emotion and longing he feels while being separated from them. Though there is a sense of great joy while thinking of them, yet there is also a tremendous void in his life. But then as he walks through the front door upon finishing his trip, those smells that had been missing are suddenly back in his life. They are a part of the joy he has experienced for so long. Mere smells have a radical impact on this man’s life.

Again, sometimes the little things are not so little within the ultimate context of life and satisfaction. And with these little things we are able to also delight in the Giver of those little things and enjoy the sweet communion of thanksgiving to Him for setting such little things in our lives. What was previously perceived as a little thing has now turned into the greatest objective of mankind, and that is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That is, "in everything give thanks," and again:

Pursuing this goal of getting joy out of little things, let us consider such an experience as longing for a glass of water. In my own life, I can recall those times in my physical education classes where I was striving to achieve the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. One of the events was the mile run. It was my goal to run it under six minutes. Now for some people this is not a tough thing to do. But for a guy in high school who did not get a whole lot of cardiovascular exercise, this was a difficult task. I remember the excruciating pain of that last quarter-mile around the track and just aching to cross the finish line. With every ounce of strength, I pushed myself to my limit, striving with all my might and sweat to break the six-minute time. Then it would happen. I would cross the finish line and labor to get as much oxygen as I possibly could with each breath. As I would catch my breath I saw the drinking fountain at the side of the track. My greatest objective at that point in time (which felt like my greatest objective in life) was to simply dive into that drinking fountain. While approaching this fountain, I could almost imagine it turning into this huge spring of cool water coming out of the side of a snow-covered mountain. Well, the experience of finally taking my first gulp was almost that. My thirst and the dryness of my mouth was finally quenched. Drinking cool water at such a time brought incredible relief to me. In fact, I would have no problem whatsoever identifying that extreme satisfaction as great joy and delight. It is doubtful that anyone could object to calling this experience joyful. We certainly would not call it a bother. The question is, was I able to experience the joy of which we are speaking? Well, perhaps not at that particular time in life. But are we able to have that mindset now that we are Christians? Are we, with every glass of water we drink, able to experience joy and gladness at such an experience? I believe we can. However, we must consciously focus on what we are doing, its benefits, and the fact that a mere glass of water is to be recognized as an amazing gift of God.

I would attempt to find this joy by first being thankful. Just thanking God for something so seemingly small as a glass of water. And in that thankfulness I would ponder the fact that from all eternity God planned to satisfy my thirst at that point in time with a glass of water. It was God’s specific design and intention to utilize all the circumstances surrounding my glass of water to bring me to that exact point of delighting in this gift that would make thanksgiving to Him rise to the forefront of my mind. This might come across as man-centered thinking, however, when we consider the ultimate goal of glorifying God and thanking him for such gifts, it is evident that the result of such an experience would be theocentric, or God-centered.

One of the other things we can practice is recalling certain Scriptures that we have read that have to do with our experience. Some of the first Scriptures that come to my mind while considering a glass of water are those that have to do with the springs of living water in Christ. For example, consider the woman at the well (John 4). Jesus approaches this woman at Jacob’s well and asks her for a drink. She, being a Samaritan, understood that the Jews had "no dealings with the Samaritans" (vs.9). And yet here, Christ, with specific intention, asks her for a drink of water. We can see this intention initiated in verse 4:

So then, when we consider that incredible thirst we might have after running hard, and how that glass of water—that mere glass of water—can provide such delightful satisfaction to us, may we also consider the fact that we once were running hard in the pursuit of empty pleasure, labor, and fulfillment—whether in the worldly arena or in the arena of self-righteousness—until that day Christ met us to give us the joy of living waters gushing up into everlasting life. This is certainly how we can find joy in the little thing of a glass of water.

Joy in Work

As previously mentioned, something virtually all people experience is discouragement from having to work. Whether you are a man who lays concrete for 8-10 hours a day; a housewife who labors in raising children; or a teenager at home who has chores and homework to do, you will experience times of weariness over having to work. This is especially true when we consider the extent to which most of will have to work for a good portion of our lives. The teenager considers his or her time completing high school and the labor that involves. Then after high school the student ponders four-plus years of college. And then if he or she desires to get a higher paying position, the student must pursue even further education toward a masters degree or a doctorate. So all of those thoughts and years of schooling can be a heavy burden on the student’s mind. What about the concrete worker with a wife and two children at home? He realizes that very likely he must do this same exhausting work possibly until retirement. At age 30 this can be a very depressing outlook: The same old routine—waking up early; working hard all day; perhaps a couple of hours with the wife and kids at home; and then he is so tired that eight-o’clock seems to be the perfect bed time. The reality that this is his lot in life for the next 20-30 years does not seem too hopeful. What about his wife, who must raise the children over the course of seventeen-plus years? She realizes there are not a lot of options for her. Suddenly her life experience consists of changing diapers, cooking the meals, cleaning the house and a host of other duties she must perform in the home. Are all of these gleeful experiences?

Sadly we live in a society where TV has penetrated the home and portrays the lifestyles of the rich and famous as they experience yachting, cruises, traveling, fine dining, and high society. In fact many see this so often that it appears that this is the norm and that all of us should be experiencing the same thing. With only two to four hours a day with the family after the day’s work is done, perhaps we should consider at least two things: 1) spending more time with the family rather than watching television; 2) not exposing ourselves to programs that tend to shape our thoughts concerning what we are supposedly lacking (i.e. fame and fortune).

So then, is there a solution to this apparently empty life of long and laborious hours? I believe there is. Solomon was a man in the Bible who had everything his heart could desire. The Bible describes him this way:

In the end, however, Solomon realized how to enjoy his labor:

But we must not miss a very important point. Solomon emphasizes something crucial: "There is nothing better...that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor." We must look to the end result of our work and know that it is a wonderful thing, yea, "nothing better" than to enjoy our work and the fruits thereof. When we see that the hand of God has provided our work and the result and we constantly affirm that provision, we can, without guilt, enjoy what comes from our hard work. Whether it is a new car, food on the table, wine, paying off a mortgage, or simply having a night on the town, there is nothing better for us than to rejoice that it all comes from the hand of God. This will then turn our hearts to thanksgiving. Even under the Old Covenant, during the Feast of Tabernacles in which the Israelites would eat what they had gathered of their corn and wine for seven days, God said:

Beyond this, how do we appreciate and receive joy from a menial task at work such as answering a phone, digging a ditch, or serving a glass of wine? It is a matter of mindset and exercising profound thinking regarding that task. In answering a phone, do I consider the fact that God has blessed me with the ability to talk with a dear friend with this means of communication? Do I express my thankfulness that I have been given ears to hear not only the voice at the other end of the line, but also that I have been given spiritual ears to hear the good news of Christ crucified? In digging a ditch will I remember the foundation upon which the church is built, namely, Jesus Christ, and that His foundation will never be shaken and thus I am secure in Him forever? In serving a glass of wine will I remember the new wine that Christ mentions (Luke 5:37-39) in relation to the New Covenant in His blood? Those may sound like very basic examples, but if we are to pursue joy in everything we do and experience, this type of thinking must be applied. And as individuals we must find that experience or passage that will incline our minds to delighting in the task at hand. Sometimes it will be applying what we have learned from someone else who performs the same task. Other times it will be applying what God has impressed upon our own heart to enjoy the same task.

In regard to work and joy, something we should remember is that work and labor shows a type of something far greater. Remember the example of the drink of water and how that showed the greater reality of Christ as the living water quenching our spiritual thirst. And when we contemplate that, we are able to rejoice in something so seemingly small as a drink of water. Likewise, with work we should remember an enormous element the word of God emphasizes, and that is rest from labor.

Joy in Rest

We touched briefly on the results of our labor and rejoicing in that. It seems fitting that we can also find great delight in experiencing joy in our rest. As we trudge through the work day we must have not only goals in our work, but also we must have the ultimate goal of finishing our workday. Even the unthankful use these thoughts in eagerly anticipating the end of the day, and certainly the end of the week. But how, while we are working or in our rest, do we find joy that reaches an entirely superior level to that which the unthankful experience? First, our minds should always be cognizant of the fact that we must rid ourselves of guilt for experiencing joy when our joy is founded upon God. Second, there should be in us a mind that ever searches for thoughts of how whatever joy we are experiencing can relate to the word of God. For example, with rest how can we experience a joy beyond that which unbelievers experience? When we think of rest, many of us picture ourselves in a bed with our eyes closed. I personally have never met someone who does not love to lie down on a bed after a hard day and just relax. It is so pleasant to simply forget the exertions of the day and meditate on not doing anything. But even rest can turn to restlessness. Consider how many people struggle with insomnia. Sometimes no matter how exhausted the body is, the mind can continue its anxiety while pondering events of the day, pressing circumstances, trouble with colleagues, family, financial problems etc. I have found that one of the greatest ways to insure rest is to recall what God’s word says about rest and then relate it to my own situation.

One of the most well-known passages dealing with rest is found in Matthew:

David observed that true rest was the result of God bestowing grace upon him and working in him:

This may seem elementary, or perhaps it seems impossible. But if we fasten our minds to thoughts that have purpose and intention as we seek for true and lasting joy, we will be able to revel in the very joy God delights in giving us as it pertains to work and rest.

Joy in a Wise Child

Related to the issue of rest, here is a passage packed with deep insight:

We must ask the question? Does foolishness in the heart of a child bring rest to the parents? Of course not. More and more parents are simply trying to talk their child out of their foolishness, but God’s word prescribes the greatest advice to remove foolishness from a child:

Finally, and more importantly in this subject of spanking giving rest, is the reality that the death of a child does not bring rest to the parents either:

Though the above section may seem like a lesson in child rearing (and perhaps it is to certain parents), nevertheless the intent is for parents to do those things that give rest so that we may thank God for that rest. We must always ask, how can my mind enjoy rest? How can I thank God for rest if rest is not there? Am I faithfully pursuing rest in all areas of my life? Is it possible that I am uptight and anxious because I am not disciplining my child? Do I wonder why my child acts the way he or she does, and do I try to excuse the child as different or a problem child? Or do I recognize that human nature is the same and that disobedience in a child demands correction and spanking according to the word of God? Am I willing to forsake my intuition and psychological advice if it contradicts the word of God in order that I might be certain that rest and joy will be brought to my family? We must also ask these questions: Does God want me to rest? If so, would He not prescribe those things that would surely give me rest if I would only apply them? When we begin to ponder the love of God for us, it is far more evident that He is deeply concerned for our rest and would not give us faulty information in accomplishing that rest. And upon heeding that information and being diligent in our minds to accomplish those tasks He prescribes as the Great Physician, we will ultimately experience that rest which is so essential to living without anxiety and tension. Ultimately this proper implementation of the word of God in raising a wise child will bring joy:

While contemplating the joy and rest that correction gives not only to the parents but the children as well, let us then in our pursuit of joy consider our own personal relationship to the Father. Can we see the Father applying this same essential corrective measure in order to give us joy? The book of Hebrews elucidates the Father’s love for His children while doing what is necessary to bring joy into their lives:

So then, in parenting and in discipline we should be reminded that not only will the discipline a parent gives bring joy to both the child and the parent, but also the discipline that the heavenly Father gives will bring joy to both Himself and His children, as His children walk in ways that are pleasing to Him.

Joy in the Little Things?

You might think that the things mentioned above are not really little things. Actually, that is quite true. They are enormous things. From a glass of water to a spanking, we have seen that both are absolutely essential to joy and life. Things which, upon first consideration, appeared to be somewhat trivial in relation to joy actually end in being incredibly vital for experiencing delight in life. Of course the purpose of this section is to help unfold a world of priceless treasures to be found in the little things of life, and that these little things, upon greater thought and appreciation, turn out to be those very things that contribute to experiencing enormous joy in life. The greatest reason for our being able to experience this joy is because of the foundation of trust we have in the God who supplies this joy. The unbeliever must stop with the initial experience of the glass of water. The unbeliever cannot reach into the profound element of thanksgiving and dependence upon God for a wonderful magnification of the effects, and symbolism, of a mere glass of water. That is one of the many glorious blessings of life in Christ: being able to find great joy in the little things.

Ward Fenley