Joyful!

Have you ever felt like being a follower of Jesus meant that you weren’t allowed to have fun? I know that I’ve heard people say that time and time again and I don’t believe it for a second! God is the giver of good gifts (Jas 1:17). He is the giver of joy and love and peace and hope. He created laughter and He wants us to find joy in this life that He’s blessed us with! As I was reading John 10 yesterday, I came across a note in my ESV Study Bible on John 10:10 that spoke on this very topic! I couldn’t stop thinking about it in relation to my life lately and it felt like such a timely reminder, that I couldn’t wait to write about it!

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus came that we might have life abundantly — yes in eternity, but also while we’re here on earth! We aren’t here on this earth to live completely miserable lives in the name of following Jesus — following Jesus is a gift and it allows us to enjoy this life to the fullest! The note on John 10:10 in the ESV Study Bible says, “…Jesus calls his followers, not to a dour, lifeless, miserable existence that squashes human potential, but to a rich, full, joyful life, one overflowing with meaningful activities under the personal favor and blessing of God and in continual fellowship with his people.” Isn’t that so good!? I’m not going to lie, I had to look up what “dour” meant because that is not a word in my regular vocabulary. A quick search showed me that “dour” means, “relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.” That is not what God has called us to! He wants us to experience deep joy that can only be found in Him!

Now, hear me when I say that God did not call us to a “happy” life. Happy is a feeling that comes and goes and is entirely dependent on the circumstances you find yourself in. Joy on the other hand is not dependent on your circumstances, but rather on your heart. You can find joy in the darkest situations because that’s who Jesus is and He is always with you — even to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20). Because of Jesus we can have joy even when we don’t feel happy. It reminds me of that song that says, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart” because that’s where joy resides — deep in our hearts.

God has created us all with different skills, passions, abilities, preferences, etc. He did that on purpose — we aren’t all meant to be the same! We all have so much potential simply because we were created by a very creative God! He doesn’t make mistakes and He wants us to use our gifts, skills, abilities, etc. for the glory of God and the good of the people around us! We are meant to tap into the gifts, skills, abilities, etc. that God has blessed us with and when we do — it makes us feel more alive. At least it does for me!

I’ve spent so much of my life wondering what I’m “supposed” to be doing and have had times where I felt like I just wasn’t getting it. I felt like I kept asking God what He wanted from me and He wasn’t answering me, but now I think that He was answering me and I just wasn’t listening. John 10:24-27 says, “So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.'” These Jews asked Jesus to tell them plainly which is most certainly something I’ve done — “God, if You would just tell me exactly what to do and I knew that it was You I’d do it!” Tell me I’m not the only one?

You see, it doesn’t matter if Jesus tells us directly if we aren’t listening to actually listen. When we ask Him something and already have a preconceived notion of how we want Him to answer us, it makes it very challenging — in my experience — to distinguish between my own rationale and His actual voice. His sheep know His voice because they spend time around Him. They get to know Him so well that when He speaks, they don’t have to wonder if it’s Him or not. I think the thing God was telling me to do — and is still telling me to do — is to glorify Him in whatever I choose to do (1 Cor. 10:31).

Instead of thinking that my life has to look a certain way, I’ve realized that I get to enjoy the things that God has blessed me with and that it’s okay to enjoy this life that He’s blessed me with. For me, that looks like finding joy in marriage and motherhood while also using my skills to make and sell Sourdough. It means that it’s okay for me to enjoy writing and gardening and learning and growing businesses because I can do all of those things for the glory of God and the good of the people around me. It means that it’s okay for me to be passionate about teaching others what I learn and running after God honoring dreams. It means that it’s okay for me to see my own potential — and the potential of others — and not feel like it’s something that needs to be squashed. God wants you and me to live joyful lives that are overflowing with meaningful activities — and yes, even ordinary, necessary tasks are meaningful.

When we find joy in our life, it’ll show. My middle name is “Joy” and while I haven’t always lived up to that, I’m certainly learning how to be filled with more joy! The older I get, the more I understand how critically important it is to have joy deep in my heart. This world is wild, but I believe that Jesus is King and because He lives, I have joy and it’s okay for me to experience a life filled with it!

Song(s) of the Week: This week I chose “Joyful” by Dante Bowe and “Hallelujah” by Forrest Frank. Enjoy!