PASTOR’S CORNER, Elizabeth Morgan, First Church of the Nazarene, Liberal
Do you remember back in children's church when we would sing the song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart?” Wow, talk about some good times! Well today we might find ourselves struggling to find joy in our lives due to loss, stress, and even depression. But why?
The question today is, “how often do we try to find “joy” in our life, but can’t seem to keep it once we get it?” I am a true believer that it is due to the fact that we are achieving the feeling of happiness and not obtaining true joy. Only God can give us joy through his word, and spending time with him daily in prayer.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 NIV
All those years ago when the angels spoke about “great joy,” they weren’t talking about happiness that would come and go, but the joy of living an eternal life with Christ. When Jesus was born, it gave them joy of knowing that the Messiah, that was told for many years, was finally here and the prophecy was beginning to be fulfilled.
Billy Graham once said, “When we live apart from God, our lives get out of tune - out of harmony with others and with God. But if we live in tune with the Master, we, too, will find ourselves surrounded by His beautiful music. As this new year begins, ask God to help you tune your life every day to His Word, so you can bring harmony and joy to those around you.”
In other words, we can’t find joy because we are chasing happiness instead of gaining true joy from God. When we discover that happiness and joy are two different concepts, we can begin to understand where we can get true joy, from God’s word. As we become filled with His joy, then we will begin to believe the words in the song we used to sing, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.”
I want to encourage you to open your Bibles this season and search verses that will help bring joy into your life. Each time you read one, write it down, and give it to someone else that you know or to a random stranger. You never know who is needing even a little bit of joy in this season. Here are a few to get you started.
Romans 15:13- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
