Source of joy
Where do you find your source of joy?
I love food. (Hang in there, I promise this is related). But I really do! Good food and drinks are one of the biggest ways I enjoy this life. I believe that God even intended it to be that way! (See Ecclesiastes 9:7 and Ecclesiastes 8:15…or scroll to the bottom).
Last night my husband and I went to H-E-B for a few items for a family Christmas party this weekend. While we were there we decided to get a cannoli from the H-E-B bakery to share when we get home. We were excited, but Drew said something very profound. He said “I’m very excited to eat this, but the joy that it will bring me will only last for a little while. The things of this world are fleeting.” WHOA. Mic drop! I’m going to say it again…things of this world that bring us joy are fleeting. They don’t last forever.
Think about other things in life that bring you joy. For me, it’s laughing with friends or making memories with family during an experience like a vacation or trip to the arcade. I can truly experience joy during those moments in life, but they don’t last forever. It’s fleeting. The feeling of joy is fleeting. Isn’t that kind of sad?
I’m writing this blog today to share with you that there actually is something that can be found that can be your full source of joy that is never fleeting. It is constant and it never runs out. It is God, our heavenly Father. In the Christian Standard Bible translation of Psalm 87:7 it says, “My whole source of joy is in you.” We heard a sermon on Sunday that mentioned this verse (it wasn’t even the main passage) and it has stuck with me all week. My WHOLE source of joy can be God? That’s incredible!!
Why is that so incredible? Through the work of Jesus on the cross, we have full access to God at all times (before we were not able to fully access God because of our sin). Therefore, we always have a source of joy to run to.
I think it’s important to remember during this holiday season where your source of joy is. There will be parties, pretty Christmas lights, presents, and family time - these might bring you joy or not. But none of that matters because it’s fleeting. On December 26th (or if you’re like us January 3rd haha) the Christmas season is over. I adore this time of year, but it doesn’t last forever.
I want to end by challenging you today to reflect on your source of joy. Is it something that only lasts for a moment? Or is it something that can give you joy forever? If you’re curious about learning more about how God can be the ultimate, perfect, and never-ending source of joy, I recommend reading Psalm 16:11 and 1 Peter 1:8-9 (or scroll to the bottom).
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a beautiful holiday season. Enjoy some of the sweetest joys God has to offer us in this life!
Scripture mentioned in this blog post (all ESV):
Ecclesiastes 9:7 - “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved of what you do.”
Ecclesiastes 8:15 - “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.”
Psalm 16:11 - “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 - “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
