Everyone wants to be happy. We seek happiness with everything that is in us, but happy is not the same thing as Joy.

Happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes. We call it a “Bucket List”. Once we obtain what we desire, it isn’t long before the thrill is gone and we are looking for something else to strive for to fill that empty space, looking for “our happy place”. It is a self-centered emotion that is relegated to this life, “here today and gone tomorrow”. In this ever darkening world, happiness is getting harder to obtain and even harder to sustain.

JOY on the other hand is eternal. It is a gift from God, a gift to share with others It is a fruit or result of His Spirit. Galatians 6:22 (NIV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance (patience), Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

The cares of this life does not regulate our Joy. It does not give us Joy and it can’t take our Joy away because it is of God who was and is and is to come. Hebrews 13:7,8 (NIV): “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their Faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

With this Joy comes the responsibility to share it with others. Nothing we share of God will leave us empty because He continually refills us as we give to others. Early in my Christian walk (around 1977), the Lord gave me a song to sustain me in my walk with Him:

JOY

Joy! Joy! Joy! That is what God is to me. I feel I can fly; Fly like a bird in the sky, Without a fear, For God feels so near In the warmth of the sun! But God says to me, “Live practically In your joy of Me, For I am more than an emotion. I am the Way. I am the Light. I am more than just a climax, I am Life!”

Joy! Joy! Joy! That is what God is to me. I feel I can sing; Sing like a lark in the spring, Whose melodious voice floats upwards in praise to the throne of the King! But God says to me, “Live righteously In your joy of Me. For you do much more than just singing, You are giving a message of me. Your life must be what you are preaching, So the world will see…”

Joy! Joy! Joy! That is what God is to me. I feel I can dance; Dance in the Spirit, My feet never touching the floor, As I give my praise To the One I adore! But God says to me, “Live obediently in your joy of Me, For anyone can say, “I love You;” It’s so truly easy to do, But you prove your love When you obey my commandments To you.”

Joy! Joy! Joy! That is what God is to me.