Joy is a funny thing. It can be hard to put into words, and yet we all have a sense of it.
In the Gospels joy is seen as a response to the good news of Jesus and the coming of His Kingdom: Mt 13:20, Lk 6:23, Mt 28:8, Jn 3:29, Lk 1:44.
Joy is often presented in contrast to happiness. Happiness is described as conditional and temporal. Joy in comparison is not derived from situation but person, specifically God. In that sense joy is interwoven with delight. This is not at all to say that happiness is bad, merely that happiness is fleeting while Jesus is our solid rock.
Joy and delight stem from deep within the human soul, the purpose of humanity is to delight and be delighted in by God our Creator and Lord. We have been created for delight, and the memory of this still aches within our souls. Our joy is found in remembering who God is and who we have been created to be. Joy is never a solitary thing, it comes from relationship.
Are we settling for a happiness that is convenient when our truest desire is for a deeper joy? Are we attempting to distract ourselves instead of addressing the more difficult and fulfilling pursuit?
May we remember and discover anew the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom, and may we appropriately be filled with joy.
Are we settling for a happiness that is convenient when our truest desire is for a deeper joy? Are we attempting to distract ourselves instead of addressing the more difficult and fulfilling pursuit?
May we remember and discover anew the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom, and may we appropriately be filled with joy.
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