Join in the Joy
Through the years, I have frequently preached about joy. It is more than an emotion (although it includes emotion); rather, it is a settled attitude, a stable and sturdy approach to life that focuses us on the things that matter now and forever. Joy is much greater and much more powerful than happiness, which is event or circumstance driven. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It is certainly better than unhappiness. Also, we have different personalities. For example, my wife is happy-go-lucky. Of course, she has every reason to be, being married to me. However, not everyone can be married to me. We need something more substantial than happiness; that something is joy. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Yesterday, we considered Colossians 1:11 and its context, finding there that God the Holy Spirit strengthens the joy that He gives us (particularly the joy of our salvation). This most edifying teaching is expanded in Colossians 2:5. Here, we are blessed to find that joy is not a lonely orphan wandering in dry and thirsty badlands. No, our joy is shared with many, with each Christian. In unexpected places, other Christians have walked into my life and provided kindness and help. For example, I attended an extraordinarily secular college. My first day there, I met a senior who lived across the hall; his name was Reverend Mike, and he was an ordained Southern Baptist minister. I could recount numerous stories like this one, and you probably could as well. Our joy is multiplied when we come together. Note the word “order.” It denotes settledness of thought and purpose and walks hand in hand with joy. God the Holy Spirit shares His joy with us, we share it with each other, and each one of us is strengthened spiritually. May we cherish this joy that is found in each other.