'JOY!'
By NanaBear
What are we afraid of? What do all men fear the most?Believe it or not, it is pure joy, against which this world's hostErects its massive bulwarks. What's the culmination of all joy?According to the Gospel, it's God's presence we'll enjoy;To stand before His face. Yet what's more frightening a prospectThan to behold the face of God, to those who truth reject?Jesus' presence was an unbearable torment to wicked menAnd devils alike; they'd rather beg the rocks to cover them.At the wicked's hands, the Apostles cheerfully faced their death,Yet they were 'sore afraid' when God approached the mount. Their breathEscaped in fearful cries; as Israel's when Moses did descendThe mount from speaking with the LORD, though he was their true friend.It is not hell that men fear most, but heaven. Plainly joy,For which man was created, seems determined to annoyAnd confound him - it is no light and simple trivial thing.It has more substance to it than all else that we may bringForth for examination. We live here in but half-lightsAnd unrealities; a shadow-world of dampened nights.Everything in our society conspires to controlThe joy that we were born to have. They stifle every soulWith sordid little pleasures, carefully channelled, commercialized.Escape to alcohol and drugs leaves nations scandalized.The Kingdom of Heaven is one of joy, and it is literally trueThat unless we become as children again, it's no place for me or you! Written October 11th, 2000 © on Aug 26 2001 09:13 AM PST 0 • 13
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"What are we afraid of? What do all men fear the most?Believe it or not, it is pure joy, against which this world's hostErects its massive bulwarks. What's the culmination of all joy?According to the Gospel, it's God's presence we'll enjoy;To stand before His face. Yet what's more frightening a prospectThan to behold the face of God, to those who truth reject?Jesus' presence was an unbearable torment to wicked menAnd devils alike; they'd rather beg the rocks to cover them.At the wicked's hands, the Apostles cheerfully faced their death,Yet they were 'sore afraid' when God approached the mount. Their breathEscaped in fearful cries; as Israel's when Moses did descendThe mount from speaking with the LORD, though he was their true friend.It is not hell that men fear most, but heaven. Plainly joy,For which man was created, seems determined to annoyAnd confound him - it is no light and simple trivial thing.It has more substance to it than all else that we may bringForth for examination. We live here in but half-lightsAnd unrealities; a shadow-world of dampened nights.Everything in our society conspires to controlThe joy that we were born to have. They stifle every soulWith sordid little pleasures, carefully channelled, commercialized.Escape to alcohol and drugs leaves nations scandalized.The Kingdom of Heaven is one of joy, and it is literally trueThat unless we become as children again, it's no place for me or you!..."