Momentum For Monday, October 17th 2022
“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11)
There's so many things that I could hit on when it comes to the realm of emotions for this month's Monday Momentum, but I want to take a moment to talk about joy. The reason being is that I don't feel like joy is experienced enough. I think a lot of people understand it conceptually, but they don't connect to it or feel it often. To be honest, I don't think that is what God wants for us.
Big picture, I get that we live in a fallen world. I know the state of our economy isn't healthy. Sickness has been a major talking point. Politics have been on the forefront for many. And none of those things are good. None of them have been positive conversations for most and definitely not joyous ones.
I had been in church for several years before anyone had ever preached a message about joy. It was on a mission trip so it wasn't even from my own culture when I heard it. And as someone who was in the throes of a mental health struggle of my own at the time- it marked me. The best way I can say it is that my soul needed the message although it didn't seem to be intellectually stimulating. I can't remember a word that man preached, but my soul perked up. My soul recounts his message and it happened 20 years ago.
Jesus speaks in John 15 with instruction on remaining in love and connection to him and the Father. He had given several instructions in fact, but then he says that he is instructing on these things, "so that your joy may be complete" (verse 11). Not only does God want joy for you, but that completeness he mentions is a desire for you to be full of joy.
I can embark on a journey to find joy in all the little things, but I don't think I'll find it unless it comes through Christ. Everyone wants joy. We hate feeling depressed, stressed, and anything of the like, but what I'm longing for is not joy, but the person behind it. This is the message of John 15.
Joy can be found in my losses. Joy can be felt in my hardships. Joy can even exist even when I'm stressed because it's not the feeling I'm pursuing. Feelings come and go all the time, that's the nature of emotions. But because I'm connected to the Father through Christ, the Holy Spirit gives me joy.
It's more than a laugh. It's more than a smile. It's more than a moment. It gives me deep strength and peace. Joy is something deeply embedded into the soul of a Christian because it's a by-product of relationship. Not only is this something that's within reach, it's also God's desire for us.
“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
(Nehemiah 8:10)