Acceptance-with-Joy

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.
-Romans 15:13

Last week our family spent a few days in the Virginia mountains, which is one of our yearly post-Easter rhythms. One of the most wonderful things about the region is that there are always new places to explore, and new beauty to encounter. On our final day we drove down south to explore a trail we hadn't hiked in the past, that was known for its unique cliff outcroppings. 

Near the end of our loop, just as the sun was beginning to set, we made it to the final rocky outlook. And there, hanging right on the ledge, was a brilliant flower: a blue emerald creeping phlox. 

All five of us noticed it without anyone needing to point it out. There was something about its brilliance, color, and stark contrast to its barren surroundings that was impossible to ignore.

As I took it in, an image emerged from my favorite allegory of the Christian journey called Hinds' Feet on High Places. It was written by a Christian mystic named Hannah Hurnard. 

In the story, the main character named Much Afraid goes on a journey to the High Places with the Great Shepherd, even though she walks with a limp and is terrified that she is unable to make the journey, and unworthy of love. 

Her journey takes her through many barren places of doubt and suffering, but each place she travels through shapes her spirit and moves her toward healing. At one point, she is journeying through an desert full of lifeless sand and rock: 

In all that great desert, there was not a single green thing growing, neither tree nor flower nor plant save here and there a patch of straggly gray cacti. On the last morning Much-Afraid was walking near the tents and huts of the desert dwellers, when in a lonely corner behind a wall she came upon a little golden-yellow flower, growing all alone.

An old pipe was connected with a water tank. In the pipe was one tiny hole through which came an occasional drop of water. Where the drops fell one by one, there grew the little golden flower, though where the seed had come from, Much-Afraid could not imagine, for there were no birds anywhere and no other growing things.

She stopped over the lonely, lovely little golden face, lifted up so hopefully and so bravely to the feeble drip, and cried out softly, “What is your name, little flower, for I never saw one like you before.”

The tiny plant answered at once in a tone as golden as itself, “Behold me! My name is Acceptance-with-Joy!“

Much Afraid, taken aback at the boldness of this tiny plant, stares at this flower and considers her own journey of suffering and struggle. And the message of the flower begins to fill her with a deep hope: joy is still possible, even in the hardest moments. The Shepherd has brought her this far, and will continue to lead her toward life.

So she too, decides to adopt the posture of the flower as she looks into the face of the Shepherd and as she faces the world in front of her. "Behold me! I am Acceptance-with-Joy." 

I've lost track of how many times I've told myself that it's hard to be a human in 2026. It's hard to be a Christian at a time when ugly things are linked to Christianity. It's hard to form meaningful friendships when life moves so fast and people are so guarded and distracted. It's hard to maintain hope when there is suffering and injustice and hatred being promoted daily by world leaders. And so many people I know right now are hurting. I doubt those realities are much different for any of you who are reading this as well. We walk through deserts in this life, without question. 

In this season of Easter resurrection, embracing an identity of Acceptance-with-Joy does not mean that we accept injustice or accept that nothing can change and we just have to deal. Nor does it mean God is forcing suffering on us and we just need to, like, get over it already. 

I think the Acceptance-with-Joy posture is an invitation for us to accept that, like Jesus said, "in this world you will have trouble," and also remember his amazing conclusion, "but take heart, I have overcome the world." 

There is joy in knowing that though the journey is hard, hope is still accessible. God is still good. Love is always available. And the worst thing is never the final thing. Though things feel overwhelming, love will still win out. Though the moment may be confusing, the God of the universe will never stop drawing you back into relationship. So joy is possible, even while accepting that our world is still pretty barren in many ways. 

Today is yet another opportunity to consider the flowers that grow on the cliff ledges. They don't have enough soil. The wind rages on them. Rain drains off almost before it can soak in. And yet, the beauty that they are able to display to the world is miraculous. So is yours, with the life-giving energy of the Spirit of Christ. 

Happy Easter season, friends. 

Jesus, form an identity in me that leads to a brave and honest joy, even when I look around me and see only desert.

Peace,
Keith


*Photo Credit: Judah Miller