Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
As we step ever closer to election day here in the United States, it seems as though everyone is feeling the stress of the unknown outcomes that will take place. Individuals on either side of the ballot box are facing potentially momentous changes. Thus, the question of the day (and every day) is this – where do I find my joy? For the election outcome will leave many people discouraged, hopeless, and frightened. So, again, where can we go to find joy that isn’t dependent upon ever-altering circumstances?
Where Do You Find Your Joy?
Where do you find your joy? I’ve been asking myself this question for the past twelve months. A year ago, we left our church of over eighteen years and it’s been a brutal adjustment. Not only did we walk away from people we loved, but we had to take hard steps to find a new local body of believers to worship, serve, and do life.
While some might assume that since we made the decision to exit our former church fellowship, it would be a simple transition. Not so. Like every decision we make, when we choose one thing we necessarily have to say no to something (or someone) else. Just as we do when we cast our vote in elections.
Joy Is Found In Our Relationship With God Alone
Which then brings us back to the question of the day. Where do I find my joy? Scripture is clear about this truth. We, as Christians, are to always find our joy in God alone. We won’t find it in our family, friends, work, hobbies, stuff, or even in our ministries.
The only thing we can count on that never changes in this temporal world is Jesus and His Word. God is never changing. It doesn’t matter the outcome of the election or any human outcome for that matter. What matters is that we know deep within our heart and mind that Jesus alone, as our Lord and Savior, will secure us for all eternity and for that reason alone…we, above all people, should be joyFULL.
We Misplace Our Joy Too Often
But the question then is this? Are we? JoyFULL? For most individuals, I believe we are slowly becoming aware of the sad fact that we are too often placing our joy, our hope, our happiness in everything but the Lord. Yet as we take some time to sit in silence before our heavenly Father and ask Him to reveal our hearts to us…we can confess this error of our ways and discover a fresh beginning.
Our joy is not dependent upon circumstances. This is one rock solid truth that is revealed all throughout Scripture. God alone is the giver of a joyous spirit. We cannot earn it. We cannot create it. We cannot demand it. But we can receive it.
Let Us Rediscover Our Joy
So today when the world feels like everything is about to change in ways we cannot control…let us each quiet our hearts before our good, good Father and ask Him to restore the joy we have lost. He is a loving Father who listens and then answers. The joy of the Lord IS our strength. Let us give thanks for this timeless good gift.
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