Joy: A Desire And A Signpost
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Joy: A Desire And A Signpost

"Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind" -William Wordsworth

151
Joy: A Desire And A Signpost
PSXtreme

Today I will discuss a topic from one of my favorite writers, C.S. Lewis. Lewis is most famous for his Chronicles of Narnia series, but he also wrote many other books. Some of these include his science fiction trilogy, "The Screwtape Letters," "Mere Christianity," and "Surprised by Joy". It is this last book that the idea of Joy comes from.

"Surprised by Joy" is a semi-autobiographical book that Lewis wrote. It details his conversion from Christianity to Atheism and then back to Christianity. Throughout the book, Lewis refers to something he calls Joy. It is important to note that there is a distinction between this and joy. When Lewis refers to Joy with a capital J he is referring to what he calls the central theme of his life. On the other hand, joy with a lowercase j refers simply to a pleasure or satisfaction.

Now that we have this distinction between Joy and joy, we can explore what Joy is. Lewis first mentions it as the central theme of his life. He believed that this Joy was more than simple satisfaction but a shared human experience.

So then what is Joy?

When Lewis first experiences it, he describes it as a desire that is more desirable than any other desire. In other words, this is a desire that we long and crave for more than anything else. It is a Longing for something beyond us that I believe we all experience.

Lewis experiences this and immediately wants to feel this desire again. In fact, Joy appears throughout Lewis's life, often in the least likely of places. Lewis states that we know Joy because the experience of it is completely indescribable. He also says the Joy is a bittersweet stab. By this, he means that Joy is a fleeting moment that is the best feeling in the world. It is also bitter because once it is gone everything else pales in comparison.

I believe that this is an experience that we all share. I know that I have experienced it, and I believe that many other people have.

There is one more thing that we must consider before we have a firm grasp on what Joy is for. We know that Joy is a desire, and for every desire there must be a satisfaction. For example, if you are hungry, that is a desire for food. In other words, Joy is not what needs to be desired, but the thing that satisfies this desire.

Lewis acknowledges this as well and explores what it is that satisfies Joy.

A the end of "Surprised by Joy," Lewis compares Joy to a signpost. To him, and to me also, Joy is a signpost that points to something other and outer, or, in other words, God. Lewis reasoned that if there is this desire beyond other desires, then there must be something to satisfy it that is above all other satisfactions. The answer then is God.

Whether or not you agree with Lewis on this last point, I think that we can agree that there is this experience of Joy that is completely beyond us. So, the next time you experience it, take note of the desire and try to find the satisfaction of this desire.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

15452
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

945208
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

122189
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments