The serious business of joy, treasure hunting and kindness calendars.
5 things worth sharing this week
Hey — It’s Cass and Rich.
On Sunday, I spoke about the man who found treasure and sold everything with joy to buy the field. It’s really impacted my own life and I’ve been thinking about how to bring more joy into my world and into the lives of others.
One thing I have thought to do this week is to invite leaders who are struggling to join us in The Worship and Creative Leaders Academy. Sometimes, just knowing others share similar thoughts and experiences to you brings joy. Knowing you aren’t alone can be delightful! (Why not join me in sharing “The Academy” with a friend this week.)
TWO IDEAS FROM RICH & CASS
RICH WRITES:
“Leadership can easily become all about outcomes, strategies, or solving problems but real leadership is about joy. Not surface happiness, but the deep joy that comes from watching others grow, create, and carry vision further than you could alone.
Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). Joy gave him endurance. When we lead from joy, we remind our teams that the work of heaven is not drudgery but it is delight.”
CASS WRITES:
“Sometimes joy looks like that kind of surrender; letting go of comfort, certainty, or even control in order to discover what’s worth everything.
Creativity flows best from that same posture: not striving for perfection, but delighting in the process, relinquishing control in order to create something authentic.”
TWO SNIPPETS FROM OTHERS
I love that in this quote CS Lewis indicates that it is at play - in making art, music, celebrating, and resting that we most partake in eternity.
“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”
Source: C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (1964)
God creating with joy, and us emulating that! What a thought! I have often thought through the lense of Narnia of God creating by singing the world into being and this adds another layer of richness to my imagining the Genesis story. God of wonders creating while laughing at all that was taking shape from his words. Isnt that though truly delightful.
“In art, we are continuing the creation, and that’s why it’s so joyful.”
Source: Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art (1980)
ONE SPARK OF INSPIRATION
Joy often comes from looking outside yourself like Rich talked about in relation to leadership.
Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation — a site offering simple kindness ideas to spark joy and resource you for everyday life.
Did this spark joy in you? If so tell us your favourite R5 in the comments, or share a great link to something that gives you joy!
Grace and peace,
Cass and Rich
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