He is Our Joy

This is part of a post I wrote over a year ago.  It has been on my heart lately.  This time of year, as we head into the holidays, seems to be when more people fall into depression.  It doesn't have to be that way.  I know, I have walked through it.  God is always faithful.  When we get into His presence, there is abundant joy!

Why does God want our joy to be full?  What allows our joy to be full?  

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

The scriptures leading up to and after John 15:11 are the instructions for having a joyful life.  The answer is overwhelmingly LOVE.  Love abiding in us, God's love abiding in us, allows us to walk joyfully because we are not holding onto anger and resentment toward anyone.  Instead, we see them with the eyes of love, almost with rose colored glasses.  It's as if we see people the way Christ sees them.  The way God wants us to see others.

Love grows inside us when we spend time with the Lord, and in that process, abundant joy grows in us.  We know we are capable of loving like Jesus does - Christ in us, the hope of glory.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing.  Since Jesus lives in us, we can love like Him.  We are able to grow in areas where we are weak.  

The first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-40) is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind.  Then, love our neighbor as ourselves.  Jesus is our example for how we ought to live.  If we don't know where to start, we look at Jesus to find our answer.  Abide in Him and He will abide in you.  His love will abide in you.

One thing I have learned is that it is hard to walk in anger toward someone you are praying for.  I mean, someone you are really praying for.  If you find someone hard to love, start praying for them.  One of two things will happen, they will change, or you will change and see them differently.  It usually works that God changes your heart for that person.  He will knit your heart to them, and they won't even realize it.  

When we choose to love people as God loves them, joy fills our hearts, our thoughts, our talk, our complete lives.  Let's choose love today, and we will see the result of joy!  God wants us to walk in joy.  It is not contingent upon our circumstances, it is completely contingent upon spending time in God's presence.  

We are more effective at pointing people to Christ when our joy tank is full.  Have you ever met a grumpy Christian who told you about Jesus?  Would you want what they have?  No!  Let them see that in all circumstances we can give thanks, and walk in love with joy following us wherever we go.  I am preaching to myself!

Father, we know that when our faith is put to the test, it is proved genuine.  We rejoice in you with a glorious, inexpressible joy.  Thank you for giving us joy in our journey.  I pray that our joy will be full as we choose love today.  Thank you for the promises in your word that lead us back to you, to relationship with you, that stands the test of time.  We love you, God.  I lift up my friends to you and ask you to fill their love buckets up so they can be a light of joy wherever they go, a beacon of light that points them to Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen!