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BBC Radio 2 - Pause for Thought
Tuesday 18 November 2008
The Archbishop of York joins Terry Wogan's Breakfast Programme
The BBC broadcast is available to download from Wake Up to Wogan
"Well Terry there's a lot of gloom around at the moment in terms of economic news, not least in terms of job losses as we come up to Christmas. People hear the economic forecasters and financial speculators tell of the coming storm and wonder whether they can survive the tempest.
During these times one of the first things that seems to fly out of the window are thoughts of happiness. You could almost argue that in terms of economic analysis whilst the demand for happiness remains high there seems to be a bit of a problem on the supply side.
Everyone is searching for it but, like the rainbow's end, it always seems to be in the next field.
Trying to find happiness from this world is like trying to light up a dark room by lighting a succession of matches. You strike one, it flickers for a moment, and then it goes out.
Terry I don't think it's happiness that we should be frantically searching around for. Like a dark room that's suddenly flooded with light, this is what you and I need. And that is: Joy! Yes! Joy!
Joy isn't quite like happiness. Whilst happiness tends to be fleeting, disappearing at the slightest mood-swing, joy underpins and sustains.
Why? Because in the Bible it is a quality grounded on and derived from God himself, and it is consistently the mark of both the individual believer and of the corporate fellowship (Psalm 16:11; John 15:11)
Sharing in God's life produces his love, joy and peace in us! Joy like a fruit ripens in our life.
The opposite of joy isn't sadness. The opposite of joy is fear. And that's why we need to hear again the Christmas message of the angel to the terrified shepherds:
"Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone joyful. This very day in King David's city, a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord."
So my message to all your listeners this morning, Terry, is a simple one:
Don't be overcome by fear.
Rather give into the joy of knowing goodness and doing the right thing. Those simple acts of love, the random acts of kindness, those acts of affirmation and generosity, big or small, stand like lights in the darkness.
Fear not! Know truth! Live life! Be love! Be Joy!"