Radical Joy.

Image © by Brian E. Faulkner

It’s an understatement to say that some days are easier than others.  From time to time, we wake up refreshed, charged to walk the path God has chosen for us.  But other days, no matter what our heart may say our brain doesn’t switch into the right gear and knocks our Greater Purpose off track. For whatever reason, a troubling experience the day be-fore, a restless night pocked with disjointed dreams or money and health issues that have dogged us far too long, we wander outside the Lord’s green pastures and get caught up in negative thinking. We grab at hope and can’t quite get a grip, yet we know that the Lord Shepherd is near and willing to lead us back to his still waters, where we regain our footing and find nourishment for our souls. ​​

www.rad-joy.com

When confusion and doubt stalk, my green pasture is quiet time, a place in which I can clear mental space and find the peace promised by Isaiah 26:3, where Scripture calls on us to keep our minds on the Source of perfect peace rather than whatever circumstances may rise up and try to mess with our heads.

As I struggled with that very thing this morning, I was blessed to have stumbled on a radio interview with a woman who has started a home-based business with her husband in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Their online video shows a typical suburban home with a child’s bicycle on the porch, two practical cars in the driveway and – for all I know – a white picket fence surrounding the backyard. 

It’s clear from their story that not every day has been filled with sunshine as this couple embarked on the path that God set before them, but their faith not only is strong and sharply focused but uniquely reflected in their product: three sizes of hand-hewn wooden Surrender Crosses with nails hammered into their surfaces.  The purpose of their business, called Rad-Joy, is to “further God’s kingdom by encouraging others to deepen their relationship with Christ through a life surrendered.” Radical Joy.

The surrendered life does not come easy.  We can believe we’re there and then find ourselves falling back on our old worrisome ways.  As Jackie and Rick write on their web site, “We often talk about ‘giving it to God’ but so frequently choose to carry the heavy loads of life” ourselves.  But that’s not how the Lord would have it.  Instead, he calls us to himself and invites us to give our worries over to him: 

“So do no fear, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10 proclaims.  “Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Rick and Jackie’s Surrender Crosses acknowledge that God’s truth isn’t always easy to embrace in a world that seems determined to create as many worries as it can. Even us believers (perhaps especially us believers) will have our worrisome moments and wearying challenges, which Rad-Joy suggests we write on bits of paper and nail to a Surrender Cross, reminding us afresh of the Savior and Lord who promises to guide our steps, even on days when mind and heart don’t seem to be quite in sync. 

“So be strong and courageous, all you who put you hope in the Lord, “counsels Psalm 31:24.  And when your old nemesis worry shows his gnarly face, remember to Whom you are surrendered.

https://www.rad-joy.com/

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