May 24, 2017
My Annotation of "Joy-Keepers"
Joy-Keepers are children of adoption (namely ~ Bible-Believing Christians[+]) who are delightfully-possessed by a type of other-world like satisfaction in Jesus’ indubitable plan for good in their lives despite past, present, and impending suffering. Because of this, Joy Keepers are people marked by Christ-centered contentment that makes space for emotional qualities like happiness, excitement, hope, and desire to steadily ripen overtime. Resilient beyond measure, Joy Keepers are initially met with secular sentiments of skepticism regarding the authenticity of their jubilation:
Example: "Can a person truly be this way in the midst of what has happened to them?"
Yet through consistency over time, the very same proverbial needle of secular skepticism is re-calibrated by reformed sentiments of intrigue, amazement, attraction, and finally covetousness regarding this enduring quality of joy despite circumstances.
Example: "The way she is able to glow with so much energy and joy with everything going on in her life is so amazing. I really want that for myself. I wonder what I would have to do? I desire that for myself."
Example: "Can a person truly be this way in the midst of what has happened to them?"
Yet through consistency over time, the very same proverbial needle of secular skepticism is re-calibrated by reformed sentiments of intrigue, amazement, attraction, and finally covetousness regarding this enduring quality of joy despite circumstances.
Example: "The way she is able to glow with so much energy and joy with everything going on in her life is so amazing. I really want that for myself. I wonder what I would have to do? I desire that for myself."
*** It's important to note that I have widely seen this transition from skepticism to positive reformed sentiments of intrigue, basement, attraction, and covetousness usually manifest themselves in that order.***
Joy-Keepers are able to hold fast to their satisfaction in Jesus to the point where happiness is available despite their sufferings because they are people overwhelmed with confidence rooted in:
Finally, Joy-Keepers believe that God is so sovereign over the sorrows and disappointments of our lives that He is able to make everyone of them serve our everlasting joy.
- God's loving and just-plan for comprehensive redemption over all of creation in such a manner that temporary trials are endurable as eternity is hope for.
- God's loving intentionality as He consistently sends “the comforter” (Holy Spirit) to affirm the actuality of His presence.
- God's love manifested through the revelation of scripture which promises to protect us from evil, satisfy parched areas of the soul, cast a vision of a future greater than our today's, while pointing us to a Creator worthy of our affections
- God's loving discipline which mercifully redirects broken behaviors and beliefs that leads to sorrows upon sorrows to redeemed beliefs and behaviors that lead to life rooted in joy.
Finally, Joy-Keepers believe that God is so sovereign over the sorrows and disappointments of our lives that He is able to make everyone of them serve our everlasting joy.