Ever been sat in a stuffy concert hall, surrounded by hordes of stiffs who barely bat an eyelid at the truly magnificent crescendo in the insanely emotive symphony that you *think* you all have the extreme pleasure of witnessing, and all you want to do is raise your metal fingers in the air and wave your hair about a bit? Well, this guy got chucked out of a Handel concert for moshing. Go him! Lee Seung Chul is a South Korean pop singer who first came to prominence with the eighties band Boohwal, Chul had a rocky road to success, on the one hand earning the title ‘Emperor of Live Music,' and on the other facing a couple of arrests for drug abuse. Boohwal hit the Korean pop scene in 1985 but after a couple of hit records, the band called it a day, and Lee began his solo career in 1988. He released his first album (a two part affair) in 1989-1990, but was sidetracked by his first arrest for drugs taking. He made a comeback and released a string of hit albums, and — even in the wake of another arrest — managed to solidify his career. He began releasing album at about one every two years or so, and in 2002 the reunion of Boowhal was enough to put Lee at the forefront of the K-Pop world. In 2006 Lee released a greatest hits compilation, RUI: The Best Greatest Hits. He took the classic world by storm with "Ode To Joy"
Have you ever noticed that the expectations for Christians seem to be that we should be happy all the time. It seems as if there is no place for sadness so much so that there is never a place to grieve. The truth is, no one is happy all of the time. Part of being in a world of sin is having a life filled with sin, enemies, retaliations, bitterness, gossip, and the list goes on.
The difference for the followers of Jesus is an awareness amidst all of the difficulties of life, that our God will always take care of us. Even though our life may be filled with all manner of trials and burdens, we know that, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Remember, that morning may not come until our entrance into God's heavenly kingdom; but that will truly be a morning of great joy.
Perhaps one of the greatest difficulties for believers in this, the 21st century, is that we have lost the realisation that true joy is found in Christ alone. All of the trinkets of this generation will pass away, and though they may give some momentary pleasure, they will certainly not give us lasting joy.
As followers of Jesus, we are dazzled by the things of this world, and often find our hearts led astray by the same temptations that affect all. What are we to do; how can we insulate ourselves from these unending temptations. By the grace of God we should content ourselves with God's Word. Let us continue watch and pray. Our strength never was and never will be in ourselves, but rather our only strength lies in the blessing of knowing Jesus.
Let us, like the Psalmist, look to Christ, for in Him alone is found joy, peace, and love. Only in Him will we have everlasting joy both in this life and in the life to come! The Psalmist concludes this Psalm with these words, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but Joy comes in the morning"
May God give you joy in the midst of life's burdens. May you know unceasing Joy in your life.
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