Something that has been on my heart lately is the need for joy to be ever present in our lives. So here’s some of my meditations and thoughts on joy.
I get stuck in this cycle of trying to rely on the happiness in my life when all that really leads to is chasing my own tail till I’m dizzy and collapse from exhaustion. Relate?
Because…
I am guilty of trying to find happiness in pleasing others.
When all my sights are focused on the validation I seek from others. Others being my professors, my peers, my coworkers, my parents, even my dog. That validation creates a temporary happiness. That addiction is toxic.
I am guilty of trying to find happiness in my achievements.
For me this looks like the strive for perfect grades, perfect friendships, a perfect relationship and a perfect relationship with God. When everything is smooth sailing… that is a wonderful feeling. But to rely on a man painted picture of happiness given by the world is to lay treasures here on earth.
Here’s the thing… none of these things as themselves are wrong.
To fall into a dependence on them for the happiness they create in me to be my steadfast foundation is very tempting; that is where we go wrong.
But the world tells us that is all we need.
Sin will gratify the desire to solely rely on happiness in life. But happiness is only temporary, lasting only as long as what pleases you is present.
So how does joy work? The best way I’ve heard it described by a fellow believer was from a professor at school. She said,
“Joy is the deep seated knowledge and assurance in your heart when you know who made you and what you were made for.”
Of course, before this I knew joy because I know God, but this description absolutely brought tears to my eyes. I thought, “yes! Amen!”
Joy is both a choice and a gift. We are given joy when we realize and believe that Christ died for us and experience the inconceivable love God has for us. Simultaneously, joy is a choice. When days are tough, life is rough, and everything is falling apart, we can still choose joy. By this we are the light of Christ.
That even when life is not giving us happiness we still know the love of God, His healing power, and His steadfast foundation. Our joy comes from putting our trust in Him and being diligent in doing so.
Days when we are hit with the onslaught of life and it’s one thing after another…
there’s joy in the busyness.
Days when nothing is going according to our plans…
there’s joy in the chaos.
Days when we are hit with crushing news…
there’s joy in the horizon.
Why? Because God is still good and His love seeps into the cracks of our life. Because God is the only fulfilling love we will ever find. Our cups run over at the fountain of his love! So choose the joy God places in our hearts.
When life is life, God is still God. Oh, how I love and trust Him. This is my God.
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21
This is where our roots are laid. To choose joy is to place our heart in His hands, to know His love and to store treasure in heaven because this is not our home.
The love of God produces the fruits of joy but it must also be a choice. So…
Be diligent in choosing joy.
~SG
