What pours out of you?

One of the qualities that has truly endeared Nyoman and Eka to Steve and me is the way the couple exude joy. They have this delightful ability to turn negative situations into positives, disappointments into lessons and trials into opportunity to seek God more passionately.

We find much to laugh and joke about when we are together. From pointing out “sleepy chickens” (aka baskets full of “live” baby chickens off to market stacked on the back of a truck) to exclaiming “masuk angin” (when you have indigestion from eating too much) to Nyoman’s cheeky impersonation of myself offering a hot drink “wannacubadee?”

These people literally sweat joy. It’s wild. And it’s contagious.

Thinking of sweat took me down another rabbit hole. I am becoming the queen of rabbit holes it seems! Cleavland Clinic states “Sweat (perspiration) is a salty substance that glands in your skin make to keep your body temperature at a healthy level. Sweating is a normal part of life. It prevents your body from overheating and allows you to safely exercise, work outdoors in the heat or live in a warm climate. Pretty straightforward right?

Interestingly, if you are dehydrated from lack of water consumption, your body will eventually sweat less to protect its vital organs. Now I’ve never been one to get overly sweaty. Even in my running days of old, I would go beet red at the end of a run, but only mildly perspire. In stark contrast, I remember watching some of my sons’ basketball games and the sweat that poured out of some of the men was outrageous! Some of them would have sweat dripping off their chin onto the floor. I would not like to take a charge from one of those guys! Take me to Bali, and it’s a different story. The humidity sure produces in me a less dry bodily environment let’s say. Side note – I heard a saying “Horses sweat, men perspire and ladies merely glow.” Cute.

In the New Testament, physician and evangelist Luke records in Luke 22:44 a depiction of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

There’s a bit of contention as to whether Jesus sweat actual blood, or if it was more a metaphor. You may have heard of a rare condition called Hematidrosis – where a person’s sweat contains actual blood. So it could indeed have happened. You can read more about that here https://www.gotquestions.org/sweat-blood-Jesus.html. Metaphor or reality, the implication of the wording is clear. Jesus was acutely aware of the painful task set before him.

The pain of being beaten, mocked and scorned and ultimately the horror of crucifixion.

The pain of taking the world’s sin on his shoulders.

The pain of being separated from His Father.

But he was able to look past the pain. He didn’t ignore it. He recognised it and acknowledged it. But he used it to drive his mission.

The second part of Hebrews 12:2 says something remarkable.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He looked past the pain to the coming joy that suffering would bring.

Wow.

Jesus’ pain and suffering in obedience to God, in fulfilling His will… produced joy.

I see this in Nyoman and Eka’s transformed lives. Nyoman and Eka's pain and suffering in obedience to God, in fulfilling His will… produced joy.

It can be true for us. Put your name in place of Jesus, Nyoman and Eka. Give it a try. Read it again, with your name there.

This is transformative friends.

Drop a comment below, and thanks for reading.