So we had a pencil drawing of the image above hanging in our living room for as long as I can remember growing up. It was one of Mom’s favorite pictures. It always reminded me to be joyful. Jesus was on this planet for 33 years – he was 100% human, but so little of what we learn about him or the pictures we see of him include him enjoying himself in such a manner. He had 12 very close friends for the last 3 years of his journey on Earth – can you imagine him never having a belly laugh with them? Of course, his job was very serious – as is ours, but we have to remember that it is alright to be joyful, for we have lots of reasons to be!
John 15:1-11 (ESV)
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Don’t misunderstand – we will grieve in this world, but we are promised that our grief will be turned into joy!
John 16:20-24 (ESV)
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Also, don’t forget that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit!
Galations 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
We should be concerned for the people in this world – for they are perishing. We should grieve for them when they pass away without Jesus, and we should grieve with their friends and families for the loss they are experiencing. We all know that the pain is real.
The point is that as Christians, our grieving is short-lived. We should exude joy to those around us to the point that they are asking why we are so joyful all the time, especially in the environment we are in today and the things that will be coming on the world in the not-so-distant future.
So, how do you access this joy we are supposed to have? Spending time with God! Quiet time, prayer time, Bible study, corporate worship are all great ways to spend time with God. The more time you spend with him, the less the troubles of the world will weigh on you.
The world is trying to distract you from these activities – there are tons of distractions, lots of news that appears to be designed to bring the listener down, the world judging Christianity in particular and the hyper-focus on humanism and “mother earth”. All of these are incredibly effective tools of the devil to keep you from the joy we are promised when we spend time with and focus on God.
Find your joy that is promised with your salvation! Surround yourself with people that are also immersing themselves in God’s promised joy. Spend time daily with him and ask him for that joy.
No one will be interested in following Christ if there is no joy that appears to come from it!
I pray, MARANATHA! (Come quickly, Lord Jesus!)
Daune
