Joy Is Contagious

Yes, I know it's a commercial for a cell phone but don't be all curmudgeony. Think on this...

1) Joy is contagious. Many of the people in the video were commuters who joined in the dance as a result of the enthusiasm expressed by those hired for the commercial. My favorite commuter is the man, who, after hearing the first few bars of "My Boy, Lollipop" eventually succumbs to the dance by lifting his arms as his expression turns from bewilderment into a beatific smile.

2) Joy is meant to be shared because God created us to live in community with one another. The older I get the more and more I see this truth manifested in my life. The times that I am most aware of God's goodness is when I am with friends and family, sharing a meal, a glass of wine, trading stories or making music. I mean, let's face it...this wouldn't have been quite as effective if it was simply one person dancing in their flat by his/herself.

3) Joy is expressed through clapping, shouting and dancing. If we have the true and life changing Good News of Christ Jesus, why can't our times corporate worship look more like this? Heck, even closer to home, why don't I live my life more like this? Consider Psalm 130:11-12...

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

4) Ultimately, as much fun as dancing can be, the kind of joy we see in the video only be sustained for so long and after awhile starts feeling empty. The truth is that sustained, substantive, life changing joy is found in God alone. Augustine has said that our souls are restless until they rest in God and there are many Psalms that attest to this. I'd like end this post with a few of my favorites.

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 21:6
Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 30:4-5

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

This last one has become more and more my prayer as of late...

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Harold Best on the Nature of Beauty

Cosper, Best and Stam - Session Four from Sojourn/The 930 Art Center on Vimeo.

Mike Cosper from Sojourn Worship recently sat down with r. Harold Best (author of Unceasing Worship and Music Through The Eyes Of Faith) and professor Carl “Chip” Stam (Professor of Church Music and Worship at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) for a series of conversation about faith, art, music and worship.

I wanted to post this 10 minute clip because I think Best's discussion on the beauty and art as it relates to the western idea of perfection is particularly insightful and helpful as we approach what we interact with the process of making music and art at the church.