JOY

Phil 1:4,6
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy… 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. –NIV

The word happiness evokes visions of unwrapping gifts of Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, responding with unbridled laughter to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale. Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit: spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences.

But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen and the party’s over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.

In contrast to happiness stands JOY. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that He will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends of Christ.

Philippians is Paul’s JOY letter. The concept of rejoicing or joy appears sixteen times in its four short chapters and the pages radiate a positive message, culminating in the exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again Rejoice!” (4:4). More amazing is that Paul wrote Philippians while in prison! Whatever the circumstances, Paul learned to be content, and find his JOY in knowing Christ and obeying Him.

May we share Paul’s aspiration and seek to know Jesus Christ more and more.

I encourage you to READ Paul’s short letter to the Philippians. Take time to Rejoice with Paul and rededicate yourself to finding joy in Christ.

Blessings,
Darren