Inexhaustible Treasure of Incorruptible Pleasure
Book Club | Eat, Drink & Be Merry: Chapter 2
Congratulations, you’ve made it to week 2 of Book Club!
From the online discussion on last week’s post and conversations with some of you in person, it seems Ray’s refreshing message is resonating.
I was talking with a friend yesterday about the book and he was sharing his perspective on Ray. He said that if Ray’s life were a piece of music, it would be a very light, happy song—but that the music of his own life (my friend’s) would be a much more heavy, solemn song.
He wants his song to sound more like Rays.
That reminds me of this passage on page 25:
“We have grown numb to lofty grandeur, and suspicious of happiness, and skeptical toward even simple joys, innocent laughter, playful fun. Plus, everyone is angry—and scared.”
When I first read that, I asked myself, “Is that true? Does that really describe our time?” I suppose my friend unwittingly answered my question.
And as I consider it, I start to see it too.
Ray calls rejoicing a “countercultural independence of mind.” (p. 27) This tracks—our society having no shortage of cynicism and lamentation as the state of the world moves us to ask questions of Good and Evil and Meaning in the chaos.
The Christian is called to rejoice in suffering and trials. But not only that—we are to enjoy the good gifts of God which are given in the midst of the turmoil: “prophetic whispers of our eternal future in Christ” from the lips of God as our respite and reminder of His Goodness, even as we’re surrounded by the fiery trial.
But our reason for rejoicing expands. We don’t only rejoice when we receive blessings in the midst of suffering, we rejoice because, “Jesus is risen from the dead. His endless triumph means the only lasting reality in this exhausted world is endless happiness.” (p. 28)
This Christian reality is transformative.
Because of the resurrection, though our outer selves are wasting away, we are moving towards life, not death. Suffering and tears are not what last for the Christian, joy and pleasures run on forevermore.1
Augustine says that God is “fullness and the inexhaustible treasure of incorruptible pleasure.”
Take a moment to read that phrase from Augustine again. That is who God is. He is the inexhaustible treasure of incorruptible pleasure—and because of the resurrection and our newfound unity with Him, that is our eternal future: inexhaustible, incorruptible pleasure as we live in fellowship with our God and bear His image.
If you ever had a reason to rejoice, this takes the cake. This is the gospel—the good news that death has no claim on us, only Eternal Life and everlasting joy in Christ.
And there is more that Christ has done through His resurrection:
“now, in Christ our King, all his followers are royalty” (p. 22)
Humanity was made to be kings and queens over Creation, ruling and exercising dominion side by side with God. However, we forfeited our high position in Creation by attempting to usurp the throne of the High King.
But our King had mercy on us. He left His throne to step into the world we had corrupted. He secured our forgiveness, restored us to our royal position, and is making all things new.
The wisdom books of the bible are addressed to those in the royal family who will rule over the kingdom. But now, in Christ, we are a royal priesthood.2 The wisdom books are written for you and me—kings and queens of the cosmos, made to rule with Jesus, the Great King who saved us from our sins and raised us to newness of life.
Live and rejoice in the bright light of the glory of Jesus’s resurrection—and what it has accomplished for you, me, and all things being made new.3
Lets hear from you!
Did you agree with Ray’s assessment of the current state of our world and culture?
How do you think we practically fight against this cynicism and sadness using enjoyment?
What from the chapter spoke to you most?
Is enjoyment and rejoicing a natural response in you?
Share in the comments, and engage with the thoughts of others!
See you next Saturday (6/20) for Chapter Three!
Psalm 16:11
1 Peter 2:9
Revelation 21:5