It is the desire of all mankind. We seek it for ourselves and desperately want it for our children. On some level we pursue it everyday, joy. We pursue it in innumerable ways. Society chases after joy by living in the most desirable neighborhood, driving a fancy car, or wearing the latest trends. We also clamor for time away, from our spouse, our children, our work. We engage in hobbies, carve out time alone or time with our friends to entertain ourselves. Church members spend time and energy serving at church, and ministering to those in need knowing that true joy comes from serving others. Humanitarians work in soup kitchens, donate to charity, serve in the Peace Corp., and on and on. There are as many ways to strive for joy in our lives as there drops in the ocean. There are two challenges we face when obtaining joy is a priority in our lives.
First, the obtaining of joy as an intentional undertaking is a fruitless task. To pursue joy for the sake of obtaining joy is by definition self serving. True joy cannot be achieved through selfish means. It is contrary to the law of God. "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:16-17. "The flesh" is the term used in scripture describing the pursuit if our own desires. Here is an example. As a child of God, and out of love for Him and having been called to serve, we may spend time volunteering in the choir. Singing hymns of praise and symphonic melodies stir our hearts, and the melodies and rhythms bring pleasure to our soul. We experience joy. Joy was not the goal but was experienced by focusing on the service and the love of worshipping our Savior and glorifying Him in song. When the focus shifts inward to ourselves and it becomes a selfish activity by which conditions have to be met in order to maintain a level of enjoyment to make it worth while to US, it by definition can no longer produce joy. Whatever our pursuit, how many times do we ask ourselves why do I bother? Whether it is serving on a committee or going to church, playing golf or pursuing a romantic relationship, if the purpose is to achieve joy it is not going to happen. When we ponder why we bother the focus has become, 'what benefit am I getting?' and joy cannot exist in a self-centered heart. "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24. Satan has done a better job convincing people in today's culture than ever before that we must pursue what makes us happy. We are even taught this in many churches. We must put ourselves first and our own joy so we are fulfilled in order to be what we should to others. If we are not fulfilled then we do not have the resources to be what others need. It is a BIG lie. We are a society constantly checking the gauge on our joy meter. When in reality every time we check it the reading goes down! This obsession with making our own happiness priority #1 is causing the breakdown of society. Remember our lives do not belong to us anymore. Therefore, as we love abundantly the Savior who has freed us, we find pleasure and strength serving Him and joy is one of the many rewards we receive from it.
Second, joy is not a destination we can achieve, stake our tent, and hang out there. It is not a tangible commodity. Those who have suffered, or who have loved ones who have suffered from macular degeneration can relate to those who focus on achieving joy. The result is very much the same. Those who suffer from the blinding disease know that the center of the field of vision is lost and only what is in the peripheral vision can be seen. This is an image of what people who have macular degeneration see.
This is what focusing on our own joy does to our field of vision. As soon as our eyes turn to examine the level of our joy meter we lose focus on everything. It is like going on a snipe hunt. We can only receive true joy as a reward for living a life for Christ. "For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind." Ecclesiates 2:26. Becoming a Christian brings about an indescribable spiritual transformation but the journey does not end there. Our true joy comes from laying down our own selfish desires and living our lives for the glory of Christ. We all know Christians who are chasing after what they are convinced will make them happy and the harder they run the more miserable they are. Whether they are expecting their spouse to fulfill them, or are single and chasing one relationship after the other, or even serving at the church for the end purpose to achieve joy when it should be out of devotion to our Lord, joy is elusive. It vanishes. We are never fast enough to chase after joy and catch it. It always comes up behind us and embraces us as a reward for focusing on Christ and if we turn to see it, it disappears.
We live in a society of the great disappearing joy. I have even been guilty of wondering 'what about me?' Dear friend, nothing good ever comes from that question. Sometimes situations do change but whatever the cause the focus should be on Christ and the question must always be, 'What would YOU have me do, Lord? and whatever it is, it will be all for your glory.' With Christ always desiring what is best for us, we do not have to worry with, 'what about me?' because that is always Christ's focus. When we focus on Him our joy will be great as a reward.
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