I watched VH1’s Storytellers: Alanis Morissette recently. For those who are unfamiliar with this show, VH1 invites musicians to the stage to share the stories behind their favorite songs.

During one of the introductions, Alanis Morissette said some things on spirituality that highlighted the truth about finding joy.  Alanis said that the world had told her to “look inside yourself for this bless” and that joy would come in direct proportion to public approval.  Given the bitterness of Jagged Little Pill (an all time favorite in my book), it is no surprise she realized that was all an illusion and upon this realization, she went through a “death of sorts - a very beautiful one ultimately, but scary at first.”

I don’t know where Alanis stands on the religious spectrum, but these truths she spoke of are at the very core of my faith in Christ. The realization that true, life-changing joy comes from someone other than ourselves, Christ, and to enter into that relationship is a “death of sorts” that is tragically beautiful, as we deny ourselves and take up the cross.