Happiness is what
this world strives so hard to get, from any and every one of his
inventions. This happiness delivers no more of our joy ('great
delight' or 'keen pleasure'), than the fictional pot of gold at the
end of a rainbow.
Our first and
foremost principles about anything should always come from our
infallible scripture, inspired by the Creator of each of us, Who
knows more about our happiness and joy than we could begin to know in
a hundred lifetimes.
Verse 11 of John
15 gives us powerful first glimpses about joy.
These
things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and
that your joy might be full.
Let's take it in
pieces.
"These
things have I spoken unto you", tells me this is where the
roots of joy are. Our joy-roots are in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
But more than that, these truths have a delivery address written on
each and every one – it's the 'unto you'. Jesus Christ came to this
Earth via a smelly stable to deliver joy-roots truths to me and to
you, and to that teen that God has placed in your mission field.
They're written down with with countless examples of others that
claim Heaven's joy by serving the Master's will with these truths.
These joy-roots
truths become the tools; the rules, in our burden and labors as we
faithfully carry God's message, with tears, to hurting youth. These
truths are like seeds that when planted in the hearts of those that
hear them and those that plant them, blossom into deep-rooted plants
that endure storms in every life.
The 'remain in
you' says that this joy will REMAIN in me. It doesn't go away
tomorrow, or when I'm faced with a challenge.
In your mind's
eye, imagine you are a rain drop. You find nothing you can achieve
within yourself. You see hurting teenagers all clawing to reach their
pot of gold, when you know it is only an illusion; a mirage of
Satan's devices.
Now imagine your
own delight; your own joy, as you realize you are an important part
of the rainbow that brings confort and calm amid life's storms. As a
rain drop, imagine your inner joy as your realize you are a part of
one of God's many promises for mankind.
Step into that
vision; you are part of a beautiful almost undescribable promise, as
you are faithful to God's leading in the life of others. That's joy.
Joy that remains, and blossoms.
But God's word has
saved the best for last. It's the 'our joy might be full'.
