The Joy that Transcends Circumstances

READY

“...Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” -- Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

SET

I have a South African friend who was a Paralympian sprinter. His name is Niel Louw. At the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, he won two bronze medals racing in the 200m and 400m events, and at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, he won another bronze in the 200m. In 1984 when Niel was 16 years old he had to have his left arm amputated just below his shoulder following a freak electrical accident that happened to him, his brother, and a friend.

Niel is a Christian and was a believer at the time of his accident. He was always a keen sportsman, enjoying athletics, rugby, and tennis, and in the years following his accident, he found that God turned around this tragic event in his life and worked it for great blessing for Niel, including the three bronze Paralympic medals.

Later in 2000 at the Sydney Paralympics in Australia, Niel was one of the pundits’ favorites to medal in the 100m sprint. During the semi-finals, he had a great start, was first out of the blocks, and was leading the field at the mid-race point, when suddenly, his hamstring tore and he had to pull up immediately in great pain, hobbling over the finish line.

Niel has said about this: “Two days later, in the middle of the night, I woke up and the reality of what had happened struck me. I was really disappointed. I was sad and depressed. It was as if there were no answers to my questions. So, I prayed, and, in some way, or another I really experienced God’s presence and His peace, His care, and His comfort. I knew that He was still in control. I opened my Bible and I was reading from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament and I read there in verse 10 of chapter 8 ‘The Joy of the Lord is my strength' And as I was reading that part of the Bible it dawned on me that the joy that I have is not dependent upon emotional fluctuations nor upon changed circumstances. but it's actually based on a personal living relationship with Jesus, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords."

Niel is retired now from the para sporting competition, but he continues to follow, worship, and serve Jesus Christ. He is an active member of his church in Pretoria and also seeks wherever and whenever he can to share the love and truth of God with all ability athletes and coaches.

As you compete today, remember what God provides to us as His children.

GO

• Do you think joy is the same as happiness? Or different? If different, try and drill down on what this difference is.
• If joy is not based upon circumstances but upon a personal, living relationship with God in Christ, what might low levels of joy (or the absence of joy) in life be an indicator of?

WORKOUT

Psalm 16:11; 1 Chronicles 16:26-28; Jeremiah 15:16; John 15:11; Romans 15:13.

OVERTIME

“Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that joy is a state of being and that it differs from happiness which may come and go. Because of Your amazing and abiding grace, I can hold on to joy, I can rejoice with praise no matter what has happened or may happen to me because You have promised to always be near and to keep me, in this life and in the one to come. I trust You, Lord. Amen.”