It’s so difficult to be joyful in such a broken world; a world where shootings and murders occur daily, a world where temporary comfort is found in casual hookups, a world where the amount of money you have sets your status, and a world where many people have desired to end their own lives due to the pain in their hearts. The world promises you success but leaves a void in your heart that is indescribable. It tells you that doing what you please is the best way to live life but regret and hurt lingers somewhere in your mind.
All the selfishness of the world has led me to what is really to be true and good to mankind. Only one thing promises us that life is actually meaningful and that following the world doesn’t lead you anywhere but to a dead end. Our God can lead us out of this hurt and place genuine love and joy into your heart, nothing like anything else can do.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
I have tried to block God out. I think we all have at some point. We don’t like where He is leading us, what He is telling us to do, or He has taken something from us. I have tried blocking out His calling by attempting to make my own decisions to in turn create my own happiness. It doesn’t matter how many things I buy or how many friends I surround myself with, I always have this pull at my heart when I’m far from God. Some part of me is empty, almost like my check engine light is blinking. This special place in my heart, and in yours, cannot be filled with anything other than the Lord Himself. He created us this way because we are a part of Him. He is longing for you to see the greater picture that the world cannot offer. We are a part of His glorious kingdom that is coming!
John 16:22 "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."
Since the world and our very own flesh literally give us nothing in the long run, we have to constantly remind ourselves of God’s plan for us. No matter how hard it gets, or how painful it may seem, God promises us that He will never leave us. He is always where He leads you to go.
Right before He descended into heaven He promises us that “I am with you always, and even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). God even gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell in each of us so that He can be inside our hearts. He still owns that place in your heart and is waiting for you to fill it with His word.
We can have joy because the creator of the universe loves us more than anyone on the earth is capable of; we can have joy because all the devastation and hurt is going to be wiped away by His hands, and we can have joy because He is in control. At the end of this life I can look forward to greater things than anything that has every happened. A God that promises you all this is surely something to be more than happy about. Our hearts should be filled with joy if we truly believe.
Psalm 27:6 " Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his scared tenet I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord."
We can live everyday knowing that one day everything is going to be made perfect. It will be a place where we worship and praise God all the day long, learning His ways, understanding His reasoning, and becoming sanctified. I know this day is coming for us all who believe and I cannot contain my excitement when I lock eyes with my creator; the one who has given me more blessings than I can name. A father who led me places I did not want to go but held my hand; a God who bled and died on a cross so that I could meet Him in heaven at the end of my journey.
John 14:2-3 " For I go and prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you will be also."
Everything is about you, Jesus. Thank You for placing joy in my heart every single day and for giving me a reason to live every day for You.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to His purpose.”
