I watched The Bucket List earlier this week. An all time favorite movie of mine. Besides its evident humor and "laugh-out-loud" dialogue, at the same time it has a profound way of tugging at the very core of your heart-strings, with Morgan Freeman's character's narration strung throughout the movie and the change of heart Jack Nicholson's character clearly experiences as the film comes to a close. I have recently wrestled with this topic of joy and happiness in many different scenarios now. My past two Sunday mornings in church, I listened to my grandfather and my uncle (both pastors for many years now) speak to people on the difference between joy and happiness. I could be wrong but I am almost sure they have had to touch on that topic before in some sort of sense. How many ways could there be to discuss joy and happiness? I quickly realized it is not an easy topic. Every time it comes up, it always gets me thinking for a while. Do I truly have joy? Or do I just think I have joy? How can I find joy? What does it entail? Is it easy? Does it take effort? Can I do it alone? Joy (at least from what i know) is hard, it does take time, it entails a new state of being, it is long-term, and I find it is easier to grasp if you have someone along side you. Happiness on the other hand is short-term, it is a mood, a daily mindset that can just as easily go away with life's daily struggles. 1. Have you found joy in your life? 2. Has your life brought joy to others? Morgan Freeman asked Jack Nicholson those questions as they were sitting upon the Egyptian pyramids checking off the tasks on their bucket list on the last short stretch of their lives. Today, no matter how old you are, or whether you are a Christian college kid, young, old, accomplished, "average joe", ask yourself periodically where you stand with those questions. I have countless favorite songs but along with watching The Bucket List, these two take a small look at loss. "More Time" by NEEDTOBREATHE and "Say" by John Mayer (in which the movie The Bucket List ends with). "His eyes were closed and his heart was open." "My dear friend, close your eyes and let the water take you home." Thanks for reading! :)
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This is a blog about the ups & downs of early
adulthood, God's goodness & faithfulness, & life in other countries. “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV Archives
June 2017
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