Something To Be Full Of

Something to Be Full Of

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Protests in Washington, DC. Political uprisings abroad. Kidnappings, drug wars, turf battles, drive-bys, unemployment, the countless social issues of the day.

Wow. It’s discouraging just writing that list—and I’ve only scratched the surface.

And yet we worship a God who tells us that we are to rejoice! Not just occasionally, but always living “full of joy.”

That’s easier said than done. There are days when life makes rejoicing nearly impossible. Jesus cried with those who were mourning and suffered with those who were suffering.

Yet the apostle Paul, who underwent trials and tribulations at every turn, wrote that we should rejoice in the Lord.

There’s a great picture Nathan has in his office, a sketch by Frances Hook of Jesus laughing. I imagine that Jesus was often doing this—with His disciples, at wedding receptions, or at dinner with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He exuded joy.

It’s disappointing to sometimes hear Christians talking with a spirit of fear and worry, of concern and dread. I get it: life is hard. If it feels like the world is stacked against us, it could be true (“God blesses those who are persecuted”; Matthew 5:10). Whether or not we are “happy” on any given day is often dictated by the circumstances around us. But joy is always there on any given day for those who serve a risen Savior.

Sadly, people who don’t know their eternal destiny often live with fear and uncertainty. Maybe the joy they see in you—even when times get tough—will compel them to seek God. His joy is in abundant supply.

Uncommon Key > Approaching each day with joy can be tough at times. God wants us to stay focused on Him, not on the things of this world that can drag us down. He is the source of our joy. Embrace His presence and spread His joy.