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.)
From II John 4 and III John 3-4, we have been considering how to be sources of joy in the lives of others. We have seen that length of time, closeness of connection, and depth of commitment are necessary in developing relationships of joy. Before we move to different verses, let us remember that God is the source of joy and that He provides the ultimate example of joyful interactions. First, God has always had time for relationships. The love within the Trinity has always existed and always will. This love extended to us in the eternal past when God created man and a plan of redemption, and it extends to an eternal future that He is preparing for us. Of course, right now in the present, Hebrews 13:5 assures us of God’s immediate presence: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Second, the perfect unity of thought and purpose within the Trinity provides the closest possible connection, one into which we are welcomed. The Father intently listens to our prayers, the Son intercedes for us and prepares a place for us, and the Holy Spirit indwells us. Third, the depth of commitment is inherent in the Trinity, for no disharmony or division ever mars the Godhead. This complete commitment carries over to us as God always leads us to and provides His best to us, demonstrated most clearly and powerfully in the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross. Beginning with the character of God is always wise, for from Him all blessings flow, including the blessing of relationships of joy.