Don't postpone joy; find it today.
Hello friend and welcome to a new post. It is my hope and prayer that by the end of it, you are inspired and challenged to think deeply, make some resolutions and become a better follower of Christ.
When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait to be a teenager. When I became one, I couldn’t wait till I turned 21. Then I did… But then I thought perhaps 25 will be magical. I got there and I realized it wasn’t what I thought it’d be.
You see, the destination doesn’t matter as much as what you learn, gain or become on the way.
One of such gains is JOY.
The word joy comes translates from the Greek word Chará (Greek: Χαρά) which means gladness. It isn’t something that is easily manufactured by human will; because it is divinely attained. It is something that you get from Christ after you get to place of closeness with Him.
Earlier this year I had a phone call that changed my life. Leading up to the call, I had imaging studies and was waiting for the results, but was told that it’d be at least a couple days before I would be notified. So believe me when I tell you that I was very concerned because less than 2 hours later the doctor’s office called saying they wanted to see me right away. Although I did have to have a medical procedure to take care of the issue, thank God everything is fine now.
The emphasis I’m trying to make is not on the story, but on on the lessons I’ve learned since all of this happened. One major lesson I learned is that life can change at any moment. That destination that you have hyped up in your mind and the belief that once you make it to that point everything else will be fine is a deception.
Truth is, life is full of trials and temptations and while we may try to outrun them or perhaps try to find the next thrill to soothe our emptiness and brokenness; perhaps I can point you to Christ, who offers another way through it all- Joy.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, we find Christians who were being persecuted being full of the type of joy that comes from Christ.
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” ESV
I wish I could tell you that throughout my health scare, I was full of the joy of the Lord, but that wouldn’t be true. Thank God for godly family and friends who held me up in prayer.
Today as I continue counseling (Bible-based therapy), I can honestly say I am learning to find joy in the now.
I no longer see the destination as the goal. I see today as an opportunity to have His joy in me.
Conclusion
The reality of my journey thus far has led me to the conclusion that joy doesn’t come at the destination, it is something that you can find in the now.
For me, these days I try to find joy each day in God’s Word, the beauty of creation and nature, the simplicity of child like trust.
I don’t know where you’re at in life. Perhaps you have the man-made joy that appears and disappears based on the circumstances around you.
Well, it’s time to draw closer to Christ and find out what you’ve been missing. Although the destination might hold a beautiful surprise that will bring joy, the journey can still bring you so much joy.
Stay Blessed,
G
Resources
Bible Gateway
Wikipedia
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