Joyful living according to the Will of God
If we focus only on the things that haven’t been done and ignore the little things that bring joy to our lives, we will find ourselves in a rut, constantly thinking of where we’d rather be living, or the job we’d rather have, or the project that still needs to be completed. Then we’ll wake up one day and realize all we’ve needed for happiness has been right in front of us all the time. Keeping our lives focused on joyful living in the presence of God, we don’t fret about anything, but rejoice in all that comes our way. Living according to the will of God brings us joy, and nothing causes us stress or disappointment.
How do we know we are living according to the will of God? We make sure we live a life that is focused on Christ, and not let the transitory things rule, for we know a life centered in Christ brings about true peace, wisdom, knowledge, and joy. In focusing on Christ, we are given the grace to trust in God’s Divine Providence for everything, and whatever comes our way is received as a gift from God.
How do we know we’re living according to the will of God? The Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica tells us, “He who lives according to God’s will has no worries. When he needs something, he simply prays for it. If he does not receive that which he asked for, he is joyful as though he had received it. A soul that has given itself over to God has no fear of anything, not even robbers, sickness, or death. Whatever happens, such a soul always cries, ‘It was the will of God’.”
Saint Seraphim of Sarav was so filled with this joy, he greeted all who came to him with a prostration, a kiss, and the words of the Paschal greeting: “Christ is Risen!” He called everyone, “my joy.” So we, like this beloved saint, can live our lives in the Paschal moment, forever shouting out the Paschal greeting with the joy we feel during the Paschal service itself. And in Christ, our joyful countenance will express to all around us, “Joy to the World”, for Christ has come down from heaven, and into our midst, and we are restored to our inheritance.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Friday September 18, 2015 / September 5, 2015
16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Fast. Food with Oil
Holy Prophet Zacharias and Righteous Elizabeth (1st c.), parents of St. John the Forerunner.
Martyrdom of St. Athanasius, abbot, of Brest, by the Latins (1649).
New Hieromartyr Alexis, archbishop of Velikoustiuzh, Martyr Euthymius (1937).
Martyrdom of the Holy Passion-bearer Gleb of Russia, in holy baptism David (1051).
Martyrs Thiphael and his sister, Thivea (or Vivea) (98-138).
Martyr Sarbelus of Edessa.
Virgin-martyr Rhais (Raisa) of Alexandria (308).
Martyrs Juventinus and Maximus at Antioch (4th c.).
Martyrs Urban, Theodore, Medimnus, and 77 Companions at Nicomedia (370).
Martyrs Abdas, Hormizd, and Sunin of Persia (ca. 424).
Appearance of the Holy Apostle Peter to Emperor Justinian at Athira near Constantinople.
Scripture Readings
Ephesians 1:7-17
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
Mark 8:1-10
Feeding the Four Thousand
8 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”
4 Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”
5 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”
And they said, “Seven.”
6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
When my mother died horribly from cancer, was this “the will of god,” in which I should be joyful?
When my father (grieving for my mother) disowned me afterwards, was this “the will of god,” in which I should be joyful?
When my wife of 7 years was unfaithful and left, was this “the will of god,” in which I should be joyful?
When, in the same year, I lost my job and my house, was this “the will of god,” in which I should be joyful?
When, in spite of recognized and commended work, I was laid off from the next 2 consecutive jobs, was this “the will of god,” in which I should be joyful?
When no church community can offer even a morsel of compassion and fellowship with regards to my suffering, is this “the will of god,” in which I should be joyful?
WHEN OVER THE COURSE OF MY ADULT LIFE, I SEE MY ENEMIES FLOURISH WITH 1000X MY BLESSINGS AND NEARLY NONE OF MY CURSES, IS THIS “THE WILL OF GOD,” IN WHICH I SHOULD BE JOYFUL?!?
The Greek philosopher Epicurus said much more truth in far fewer words than The Gospel:
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
God created us with free will, and it is from this freedom to make our own choice, that the fall of humankind brought forth death, and all that came with it. God did not create death, nor did He create evil. WE created evil and death.
I have recently lost my job, my savings, and my home. Through your blog today our Lord has rekindled my hope. Thank-you for writing.
Indeed, Christ is risen!
Thank you Father. This was once again for me, this day. I need a constant reminder to keep my eyes on the Compassionate and Merciful Christ, rather than my problems and unhappiness. Yes, we should be able to sing “Joy to the World!” every day if we look up instead of around us. Thanks for the pointed and wonderful reminder. I have a long way to go!
Thank you for the beautiful photographs that you include each day with the Daily Offering. Besides the valuable instructive teaching in the written lessons, the pictures you post give an inspiring sense of peace and holiness.