For the Joy

I have to admit it, I get up in the morning faster when I have a goal to accomplish.
Or a tasty breakfast to consume.
Or special people to spend time with.
The proper motivation will create within me the desire to see the promised end result, regardless of the necessary preparation. It’s the goal that makes all the hard work worth it in the end.

This year I’m joining the One Word train and will focus much of my writing on my word for 2018 – Joy. At first I thought it would be easy-peasy, fluffy sweet sentiments on something that makes me smile all the time. I was surprised to find that many times when joy was mentioned in the Bible it was in accordance with suffering.

Say WHAT?!

I’ve been dwelling on one verse in particular, in Hebrews 12:2 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NASB)

Well SURE, Jesus could do that because He is God. Right?
But if Jesus is my example I must follow in His footsteps. I know that I am not greater than my Teacher. My calling is not to die for the sins of the world, but to live for Him who did. The resulting joy is being in His presence now and forever.

For the joy that I have now, I relinquish my agenda and follow His. This means not doing things according to the popular trend or in line with the trendy analytics. I most likely will function counter-to-the-culture. Raised eyebrows looking my way.

Shake it off, baby. Shake it off.

For the joy that is to come, I sacrifice my sense of what joy MUST look like. Sunshine and roses? Fireside coziness? Roller coaster high?

No, I don’t think so.
Joy is wrapped up in the package of the One who gave completely of Himself, obediently. To the point of death on the cross for my sin SO THAT I could be seated with Him in the heavenly places. His pain for my gain. Joy is Jesus.

Joy is running the race to the finish line and being handed the victor’s crown by The Victor – and laying it at His feet. I don’t want the award for the race, I want to see Jesus face to face.
That is Joy. 
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