Have you ever experienced the fullness of joy? Have the experiences of your life ever been described as your “…cup running over?” I pray that you have because there is no greater feeling than that.
We live in a world where so many are full, but not with joy; but with sadness, sorrow and discouragement. The tragedy of such an empty feeling is that God never intended for us to feel that way. He created each of us to walk in fullness of joy.
In 1975, my wife Lynda and I were expecting our daughter. For months we had been preparing for what we thought, was to be God’s gift to the world. We purchased all the many things that a child would need: a crib, a changing table, a dresser, diapers, bottles, clothes in the closet, etc. We tried to leave ‘no stone unturned’ as we filled the nursery with everything we would need. When the nursery was complete, we stood back and looked with wonder and excitement. We were satisfied that the nursery was the best we could make it, but something was still missing. Oh, yes! For the nursery to be full and complete, we needed the baby.
It is difficult to believe that it has been 44 years next week that our daughter, Kristie, came into our lives. She has certainly made our lives full.
The question before us is, “What can make our life full and complete?” Will it be children or grandchildren, or material possessions such as a house, car, or money in the bank? No! Each of those things is temporal and could be taken away at a moments time. If they were, would our lives be left empty and sad?
Jesus told His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” What things had Jesus spoken that they should have such joy? Well, He told them, “As the Father has loved Me, so shall I love you.”
Love is often an over-used word that has very little true meaning. For example: I may say that I love chocolate. No! I simply like, enjoy and crave chocolate. Or, I may say that I love gardening because it relaxes me. Again, no! I simply find gardening satisfying.
Love is reserved for relationships. We love others because we have experienced the love of Christ in our life. As we walk and talk with Him, we experience the fullness of His Person. His fullness is what gives to us real and lasting joy.Is personHis
There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness depends on outward circumstances. Joy depends on an inward relationship. Looking at temporal, tangible, or material things for happiness leads to hurt and unhappiness as they fade away; but looking to Jesus brings joy that lasts forever.
-Jerry L. Dunn, Oak Street Baptist Church
