Finding Joy

Merriam-Webster defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” In other words, the world believes that true joy is found when you get what you want, when you want it. I have to admit that I do get excited when I buy a new pair of boots. However, what happens when my boots get worn and scuffed, or they come out with a pair that is even cuter than the ones I bought? You guessed it…. I need a new pair, and I won’t be satisfied until I have them.

Thus, it’s easy to see the flaw in their definition because there will always be something newer and better that we believe we must have to be joyful. It reminds me of kids chasing after the wind; hard as you run, you are never going to catch it. However, if we reject this definition, how should we then define joy?

It always helps me to look at the original language of the Bible, and I found that the Hebrew word simchah expressed an attitude of gladness, joyfulness, and pleasure from being in God’s presence. It’s how the people responded when Ezra read the law to them following their return from captivity: “Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.” (Nehemiah 8:12) They were joyful because they understood again God’s promises and provisions; however, the concept of joy was not exclusive to the Old Testament. It burst into the New Testament with the angels’ proclaiming “good news of great joy” to the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth (Luke 2:10).

Therefore, joy is not found in things or being successful but instead is rooted in a stable relationship with our Creator. It is sustained by trust in his divine promises and the knowledge that God works all things together for good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Even in sorrowful times, this joy persists because it rests on the unchanging character of the One who created all things.

And that is the good news of the gospel; our joy is anchored in Christ. He brought joy to people living in darkness and despair, and Jesus wanted his disciples to remember this. At their last supper together, he spoke of the joy that that could be found only in him, “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) And what were the things he had told them, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Friends, when we abide in Christ, his joy will fill our hearts and without a doubt I know these things to be true. Like the disciples seated around the table that night, I know intellectually that he offers each of us that same intimate relationship. Yes, I know this, but in my heart, it is a different story (Jeremiah 17:9). I struggle to keep a joyful attitude, and I allow the cares of this world to distract me. Our God is merciful though, and he recently decided it was time for me to have a taste of what I have been missing.

It all started one afternoon as I was seated at the kitchen table working through my homework for a women’s Bible study that I attend. This study is on the seven “I Am” statements found in the Gospel of John, and the section I was looking at was his third statement, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7)

As I read the words, I felt like a light switched on in me and the more I read, the more excited I became. Soon I was running for commentaries, and delight was flooding my soul. Once again, I was experiencing pure joy as I was studying God’s Word, but then it hit me: Why aren’t I always this joyful?  

I thought back to when I first started attending this Bible study eleven years ago. I would race home from work, and park myself at the table pouring over my Bible. I could not get enough of it, and for the first time, I saw connections. I discovered truth. The men and women in Scripture became alive to me, and I was so joyful. However, somewhere along the way, I lost my sense of wonder. While I have never stopped studying, I let it become more of a ‘have to’ instead of ‘I get to’. I had to shake my head in wonder at how I gotten to this point, and it was then that I thought of the story of Mary and Martha.

It’s a small story that Luke sandwiched in between the parable of the Good Samaritan and Jesus teaching his disciples to pray. We are told that Jesus and his disciples were passing through the village of Bethany when they stopped to see his good friends, Mary and Martha. Now both the sisters loved Jesus, but that day: “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (Luke 10:40a)

Being a good host was very important in that culture, and Martha was determined to leave nothing undone. I can see her in the kitchen now; in a tizzy trying to prepare the meal when she suddenly caught sight of her sister. Instead of helping, Mary had seated herself at the feet of her Teacher and was listening to every word he said (Luke 10:39).

If there was any joy in Martha, it went up in a puff of smoke at that moment. I’m taking a few liberties here, but I imagine her slamming a pot down and then stomping her way into the room where she said in the most dramatic fashion she could muster, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40b)

In her quest to be a good host, Martha didn’t realize that she was actually neglecting her honored guest and I realized that I have been just as guilty! I have been so busy writing these devotionals each week about Jesus that I have forgotten to simply enjoy being his presence, and his response to Martha might as well have my name on it too,

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

In his commentary on the New Testament, Warren Wiersbe wrote:

The key is to have the right priorities: Jesus Christ first, then others, then ourselves. It is vitally important that we spend time ‘at the feet of Jesus’ every single day, letting him share his Word with us. The most important part of the Christian life is the part that only God sees. Unless we meet Christ personally and privately each day, we will soon end up like Martha: busy but not blessed.

And I would also add ‘not joyful’; therefore, the question then becomes: How do we keep the joy in our daily relationship with Christ?

I believe that the apostle Paul gives us a hint when he included joy in his list of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Genuine, lasting joy is built on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Without him, we can do nothing. We cannot find joy in acquiring more things, and Martha shows us that we cannot find joy by doing more than everyone else. True joy is only found at the feet of our Savior.

Therefore, it’s time for me to slow down. I need to spend more time listening, more time enjoying his presence, and less time chasing after things that do not matter.

Holy Spirit, help me to rejoice in the Lord and only the Lord. Help me to be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10).

For the glory of God!  Lisa

Discussion Questions

How would you define joy?

What robs you of your joy?

What connection do you see in abiding in Christ and staying joyful?