I love a good acronym! It’s a great memory technique making words from the initials of others words-think USA or SCUBA. But we also can use current words to help remember concepts. Take the word JOY. It can assist us to recall our priorities in life: Jesus, Others, You. As Christians, we live and find joy by putting Jesus and others before ourselves as the Bible directs. We’ll explore this over the next few weeks, so let’s begin with finding joy in Jesus.
Joy is a deep and abiding form of happiness, often referred to as being elevated to a spiritual level. I believe it’s truly experienced in its highest form from Jesus living within us. As I listen to God and try to find joy in all things, God the Father’s own words remind me of the true source of joy: Jesus.
But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” ~Matthew 17:5 NLT
Not only does Jesus bring joy to us, but He brings joy to God the Father, too. No wonder! He listened and did exactly what He was supposed to do: live and die for our sins. Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection brought us out of the darkness of our sin. Now, when God looks at us, He only sees Jesus. Because of Jesus, we now bring joy to God and others.
In other words, we find joy and bring joy only because of Jesus. He is the Source of our joy.
When the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, he foretold this:
but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” ~Luke 2:10
Jesus himself explained this as He spoke to the disciples before His death.
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ~John 15:11 NLT
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. ~John 16:20-24 NLT
Our grief turns to joy in Jesus. No one can take this joy away from us. We now come directly to God because of Jesus. In all of this we truly do have abundant joy!
We could never reconcile ourselves to God. Only Jesus could and did. His act, His sacrifice, His love creates the abundant joy we now have by being made clean and reconciled to God.
Because Jesus listened, we now have His joy.
As I listen and am aware of joy around me, I’m learning joy is not about what’s outside me as much as what’s inside me.
Our joy begins with, comes from and will always be about Jesus first. His love for us created the joy we seek. We don’t have to look anywhere else except within us to find this joy. The Holy Spirit lives within us and produces this fruit of joy.
And now that we have this joy through Jesus, we can see it, share it and give it to others.
The joy we seek in our own lives, begins with His.
[tweetthis]The #joy we seek in our own lives, begins with His. #FindingJoy #FollowHisFootprints[/tweetthis]So, let’s continue to listen to His Word and in worship as He points out joy all around us. Let’s seek it, see it, and share it.
But just like the word and the acronym remind us-it all begins with Jesus.
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. ~Proverbs 16:20 NLT
Join me as I listen and am #findingjoy on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram and share how you’re finding joy!
Linking words with Crystal at #HeartEncouragement & Brenda at #ChasingCommunity & Crystal’s #FreshMarketFriday
Your words are reminding me of a great C.S. Lewis quote (which I will not get exactly right, but . . .): “If you pursue heaven, you get heaven with earth thrown in. If you pursue earth, you get neither.” That’s so often the case in our quest for joy. We look in all the wrong places, put pressure on all the relationships in our life to serve us, and then end up with ashes.
Great thoughts and quote Michele! We do look sometimes everywhere but to Jesus for our joy, when He’s been there all along!
Beautiful truth, Jill: “joy is not about what’s outside me as much as what’s inside me.” Thank you for the encouragement that Jesus is our source of joy!
Sweet blessings to you!
You’re welcome Crystal and yes, He that lives inside us is our source of joy!
“His love for us created the joy we seek.” — What an interesting insight. Love that, Jill. Thank you, Jesus, for being obedient to the cross — so love could make a way for joy for me. — Hope your joy-filled summer is getting off to a great start, friend. 🙂 ((xoxo))
Thanks Brenda-hope yours is as well!
I’m so grateful for this truth: “The joy we seek in our own lives, begins with His.” What a blessing it is that we have Savior who not only rescues us but who also gives us his joy!
Amen, Lisa! What a blessing Jesus is indeed! Thanks for stopping by and your thoughts!
Wonderful post! You could not be more accurate. Jesus is the only source of true joy. Circumstances change and happiness fades, but “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Amen to that! Thanks Erin!
Agreed. But Jesus did say no man could take your joy, people wiill try. And the devil will.
Yes everyone, especially the devil can try, but no one can steal away what God has given me! Thanks Rebecca!
Jill,
I was reminded yesterday of the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence shared beween myself and a friend as we prayed and God’s loving presence, a comfort was undeniable.
How precious is His presence and to be comforted in it! Thanks Lisa Anne for sharing with us!