The True Source of Joy

I got to visit Hillsong NYC this past Sunday, and it was awesome (I’ll be sharing more about my NYC trip later, so stay tuned ;). I’ve pretty much grown up hearing everything about Hillsong, so for a minute I was actually surprised to realize that was my first time ever in a Hillsong campus! It was so great though. And even though Carl Lentz didn’t peach (he’s recovering from a surgery, so pray for him!), we got to hear from Edwin McManus, another awesome preacher who’s visited my church before.

Pastor Edwin's message was about suffering, and what it means to find joy in the midst of it. It was such a good sermon and it really got me thinking about how possible it is to find that joy that only comes from God in every situation - no matter how bad, or good it may be.

See, you don't have to have been alive for many years to know that life is rarely perfect. Things go wrong a hundred times over, and often when we least expect it. We suffer in major ways sometimes - with setbacks or tragedies or the loss of our loved ones. Sometimes our sufferings are smaller. Inconveniences, rejections, disillusions. But they all try to steal away our momentary happiness and ultimately, rob us of our joy.

Here's the thing though: our joy as Christians is not meant to be circumstantial. We hear that a lot, I know, but I want you to really think about that. Our joy is not dependent on what has or hasn't happened to us. It isn’t even dependent upon what's happening in the world around us. Our joy is stronger than that, because our joy is found in Jesus.

I believe that even if you are a Christian, there is a place for sorrow. There is a time for pain and mourning because the world we live in is a broken one. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, and even God feels sorrow in his heart for the hurts of mankind. There is nothing “less spiritual” about feeling sad, or even angry. It bothers me when people try to over spiritualize the realities of life, so I just wanted to give that disclaimer before I go on.

But joy… Joy is something else. Joy can be present even in the midst of the darkest circumstances. I really believe that, because I’ve seen it in my own life.

When I’ve found myself in the middle of a tough situation - when I’ve felt my brokenness cut me deepest, when I’ve felt lonely or lost, or things didn't go my way - I have learned to always find joy in Jesus. Simply because He's amazing. Simply because He's so, so good and I know that in the end, He reigns and He will redeem all things. It brings me joy to think on the fact that no matter what mess I'm in, I am still God's child. It brings me joy to know that nothing will ever separate me from Him - not even death itself.

If you’ve had an encounter with the real person of Jesus, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you’ve been in His presence, you understand how deep that joy is. How it’s a wellspring of life. A comfort that is never too far. And no matter how much life knocks us around, no matter what pain or confusion we may find ourselves in, no one will ever be able to take away the joy that we find in Him.

The past two weeks have been a little crazy for me. There have been crazy schedules, tight deadlines, new responsibilities. And sometimes when I’ve been driving back home at the end of the day, I’ve found all of it just swirling through my mind - thoughts of what I have to do, and what I could have done better. But I’ve been trying to remind myself about this joy. I’ve been trying to practice exactly what I’m writing about here. The art of forgetting it all, if only for a moment, and just thinking about Jesus.

About how good he is. About how kind he is. About who I am in him - a daughter, and a beloved friend.

And you know, when I do, everything changes. Suddenly I’m reminded that life is just a brief and flitting thing. It’s important, don’t get me wrong. I want to steward the gifts and responsibilities I’ve been given well. But when it’s all said and done, it will all be nothing. The meetings. The projects. The plans. And you know what will remain?

Jesus. That's it. Just God, and all of eternity with Him. I don’t know about you, but I want to know what that’s like, even now. I want to know what it feels like to have Jesus be enough for me. Forever. So yeah, I’ll keep living life, juggling responsibilities and planning for the future. But at the end of the day, I always want to know that my joy rests in Him, no matter what. This is what it means to be a Christian, guys. It’s to have Jesus be enough.

So here’s my challenge to you: ask yourself if Jesus is enough for you. Can you find that joy in knowing Him no matter what your outside circumstances may look like? If you’re not there yet, that’s okay. Just remember that it’s not about striving, or trying to make yourself fake happiness. It’s about coming to know God as a Father and a friend, so intimately that your relationship with Him will always be a source of joy in your life, no matter what season you may find yourself in.

This is what will transform your life from the inside out. And it’s what God most wants for you. :)

#christian #2016