The Granby St. Loading Zone

[from October 7, 2009]
The Granby St. loading zone, between City Hall Ave and Plume Ave, in the heart of downtown Norfolk, VA, is kind of an oasis in the desert for me. If I take a break during my work for FedEx, I can usually park in this loading zone that stretches for the entire block. It becomes my spot of quiet solitude in the midst of traffic lights, blaring horns, and bustling pedestrians. Sometimes I walk to the store and get a snack. Sometimes I sit and read or think. A week or so ago, I prepared my sermon on Romans 12:3-5. But today, I wasn't doing any of the above. I was crying as I thought about finding joy in the midst of suffering.

I was crying, thinking about how to find joy as I say good-bye to my sister Beth for (possibly) two years. Her plan is to leave this month for Central Asia. Of course, it's sad to say good-bye. Of course I will miss one of my best friends greatly. But what really weighs me down is the desire for joy in the midst of this departure. How can I be joyless, when Christ found joy in going to the cross? I have such a high view of myself, and such a low view of God's glory, that I am generally joyless. And joy cannot be manufactured! I pray that God helps me to get my eyes off myself, and onto his glory, so that I can rejoice in the fact that Beth can go to Central Asia for the glory of His name. So even though it is a sad time, I pray that in Christ I can find joy in the midst of tears. I also pray that God's glory and reputation become so GREAT in my sight that I can willingly 'offer up' Beth for his service - joyfully. 1 Peter 1:13