Thought for the Week
For some, the vows of faithfulness spoken at a marriage ceremony are preceded by a bachelor party in which the devoted-spouse-to-be gets drunk or stoned, takes in a lap dance, maybe even has sex with a stranger. For others Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras and Carnival, which come right before Ash Wednesday, a time of circumspection and repentence, are excuses to do the extreme opposite, to “go a little (i.e. a lot) crazy.” And their calendars are peppered with other such excuses.
But the key to enjoying an indulgence is novelty, not extremity. Substance and behavior addicts don’t enjoy their binges, they loathe them—and themselves. They don’t experience joy, but the absence of it. The real problem with “going a little crazy” is the sheer desperation of it, the absence of true joy. Which is why…
You can tell more about the state of a person’s heart on Fat Tuesday than you can on Ash Wednesday.
A friend’s fifteen-year marriage to a charming boy-man fell apart when she found out he’d been cheating on her for years. Then she learned he’d cheated on her the entire week leading up to their wedding. Why? He was “getting it out of (his) system,” he said. But in reality, he was clinically depressed, and that’s not something you get “out of your system” with a sham marriage or extramarital affairs.
If you can’t be joyful without “going a little crazy,” you’ve never experienced real joy.
And real joy is what you were created for.
“When you live as I lead you, my heart becomes your home, just as I have lived as my Father leads me, and have made his heart my home. I’m telling you this so that my joy will live in you. Yes, your joy will be complete.” ~John 15:10-11 (paraphrase)
Words of wisdom here, Mitch. Thanks for important thoughts to ponder!
My privilege, Nancy!
Great point and post, Mitch❣️
Thanks, Cindy.
You nailed it!
Thanks, Sue.
A fascinating read, Mitch! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, Damyanti.
Very very well said, Mitch. God truly has the answer to every need. If only everyone understood and believed that truth.
Thank you, Anonymous.
Wisdom, my friend, that needs to be broadcast far and wide. Blessings!
Blessings to you too, Peggy.
Well said! Thank you!
My pleasure, Iman.
Real joy, Mitch! There’s so much wisdom here, my friend. Thank you!
My privilege, Karla.
🤍
Beautiful… Truth well spoken! 🙌🏻✝️♥️
Thanks, Dori!
he was only getting it out of his system – what does she have to complain about? Poor your friend for fifteen years putting up with this…
you been quoting verse 13 of john 15
in john 40 stand on the word
as the behemoth on grass
& eagle in the sky
john 15 verses 11 & 13 are seperate topics
To borrow from the old Alka Seltzer commercial, “Try it–you’ll like it”: Try Jesus–you’ll like him! Many people are willing to try alcohol, drugs, gratuitous sex, etc. in order to find joy but hesitate to give Jesus a chance. I dare say not a single long-term addict or perpetually-indulgent person has ever said, “I have such joy and inexplicable peace; there’s purpose and hope in my life.” Yet MILLIONS of Christians have attested to that reality.
So true, Nancy.
People engaging in illicit bachelor parties, extra-marital affairs, etc., are ironically seeking the very thing they cannot feel by pursuing those pleasures: the below-the-surface-depth of joy that can only be found in Jesus. Reminds me of Psalm 16:11: “You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence.”
Such a thoughtful post.
Thanks, MLM, and right you are.
Great Post. 👍💯
Thanks, Willie.
Great circumstances to lead to one truly beautiful conclusion. ❤️
Awesome story. The tragedy of true loss. What could have been real joy. Thank you for sharing.
My privilege, San.
For sure, Christ in us is real joy.
Real joy, indeed! Well said!
I agree! I’ve never understood the desire to go crazy before a serious commitment. If you feel the need to do that, then you’re not ready for the commitment, whether it be Lent or a marriage. It’s not joy, it’s trying to avoid reality.
True joy, indeed, comes from being united with Christ.
It does indeed.
“You can tell more about the state of a person’s heart on Fat Tuesday than you can on Ash Wednesday.” Wise words.
I prefer to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. A little bit of excess before the Lenten fast, but it’s only an excess of pancakes. I don’t think either God or my wife mind that too much.
Pretty safe bet, Michael.