What Makes You Happy?
What makes you happy and full of joy? I have heard it said that happiness is based on circumstances and joy is found in the Lord. This is so true! But how do you get to the place where you experience this full joy? Where it’s not based on circumstances but it’s based on a completeness in God? Where you don’t wake up every morning expecting what you have planned or not planned to bring joy to your life? I want to share a bit of my life with you today and what I am learning.
I woke up today a bit bummed about my circumstances. As my kids read this they will most likely be laughing at me because I have mentioned this numerous times. Bryan and I were supposed to be in Hawaii this week. We were supposed to leave this past Monday and be gone for an amazing 17 days. We were celebrating our 25 year wedding anniversary early and had planned this for almost a year. Well Covid put a stop to our plans. (I’m sure God had something to do with it as well ) And to be honest, my joy feels a bit lacking.
I was looking forward to this trip. I felt like it was going to bring a sense of joy to my life that I needed. I mean doesn’t being in Hawaii fill every empty void in my life. :) And then I began reading my Word this morning and of course the Lord showed up. He is so good like that. He wanted to remind me what true joy was, and now I want to remind you.
I was in John, chapter fifteen. It is such an amazing chapter with so much to think on. Jesus begins by saying that He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser. That every branch that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Whoever abides in Him, he will bear much fruit, but apart from Him we can do nothing. Jesus is giving us directions on how to live our lives. That we can do nothing apart from Him. We can strive to do and be so many things but if we are not abiding in Him we are not producing true fruit that will last. Then I got to verse eleven. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” He is showing us how to have true joy.
We base our happiness and joy on the things that are happening in our lives. I am so guilty of this. I love to be happy. I love the feeling happiness brings, who doesn’t? So much that I will re-create memories that have brought happiness to my life. I have taught my adult girls to do the same. (Sorry Girls) Yesterday was the first official day of fall. How do I know this? Pumpkin spice came out at Starbucks!! We have a family tradition that we love that makes us happy. We grab a pumpkin spice latte on the first day they are out and we go to Hobby Lobby to look at fall and Christmas directions. It brings happiness to our lives. We wait for it all year!! Yesterday was a great day! But when I woke up this morning, what did I have planned that was going to top that and make me happy? That is where this verse in John 15:11 really opened my eyes.
Nothing will ever fill me with joy like spending time with the Father. Not Hawaii, Starbucks, Hobby Lobby, Disney: Nothing. He says to abide in Him that His joy may be in me, and that my joy may be full. Do you know what the definition of full is? The period or state of the greatest fullness or strength. Amazing! Everyday as I wake up and seek Him and abide in Him, I am in a period of fullness and strength. I don’t have to go anywhere or plan anything to find it other than to my Word. It is a joy that is complete and will last. It is a joy I can rest in. It is a joy that is always available to me. I pray you find this joy this morning and everyday of your life.