Astounding Joy!
“I just want to be happy.” When was the last time you heard someone verbalize this desire? When was the last time you told someone or yourself that you simply wanted to be happy? Seeking happiness is something common to humanity. It is a cry of the soul that acknowledges we were not made for pain, despair, betrayal, and death. We were made for something greater than what we are presently experiencing.
Advent calls us to remember that we are made for something greater than what we are presently experiencing. Advent calls us to realize this world cannot fulfill this inner desire for happiness. Advent reminds us that true happiness, astounding joy, is found in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11). And one day Jesus is going to physically return to gather all who are longing to see Him (2 Timothy 4:8).
Since 2002 Gallup World Poll has been tracking happiness in the world. They wanted to know what is the happiest country in the world.. This year, according to their findings, for the fourth time in a row, the happiest country in the world is Finland. Yes, this small Nordic country in Northern Europe was ranked once again as “The Happiest Country in the World.” Why? Because they enjoy a calm, peaceful lifestyle. They appreciate how things work and they intentionally pause to admire the little things in life as well as the overwhelming things of creation like the Northern Lights.
Advent asks us to pause like the Magi. They saw a star that astonished them and called them to worship (Matthew 2:2). It wasn’t the Northern Lights but it was the True Light that was coming into the world (John 1:9). They intentionally followed it until they saw the Christ Child born Lord at His birth. Scripture says they were overjoyed (Matthew 2:10).
We miss happiness because we are seeking it in all the wrong places. Our searching is limited and distorted until we seek Christ Himself. We seek riches, wisdom, power, pleasure, and fame falsely believing such will bring us happiness or astounding joy. While all the time the Scriptures reveal happiness or astounding joy is found in communion with the Living God (Psalm 144:15).
Oh friend, beloved of God, may you hear this Advent season the astounding joy that can be yours in Christ Jesus. As the old spiritual song proclaimed, “the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.” The believer’s joy is possible because Jesus specifically prayed, “I am coming to you (Father) now, but I say these things while i am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them”(John 17:13).
Advent invites us to know this astounding joy was not just for the Magi or the shepherds. This astounding joy was not only for those who witnessed Immanuel - God with us, performing miracles. This astounding joy was not just for those who saw the empty tomb. This astounding joy is for you and me. Still, this astounding joy in Jesus we pursue and have in this life is only a glimpse of what is waiting for us (1 Corinthians 2:9). We may not experience it in it’s fullness, but it is real. Joy here is a taste of the joy to come.
Until then, let’s join the redeemed and ransomed people of God and rejoice for the Light has come. Rejoicing is the expression of this astounding joy found in Jesus. I want to leave you with Peter’s words to believers trouble by the brokenness of their world. “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed”(1 Peter 4:13).
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Scriptures:
Psalm 16:11
2 Timothy 4:8
Matthew 2:2, 10
John 1:9
Psalm 144:15
John 17:13
1 Corinthians 2:9
1 Peter 4:13
Philippians 4:4
You are loved!!
Rejoice in Jesus!!
Uncle Mike
Advent calls us to remember that we are made for something greater than what we are presently experiencing. Advent calls us to realize this world cannot fulfill this inner desire for happiness. Advent reminds us that true happiness, astounding joy, is found in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11). And one day Jesus is going to physically return to gather all who are longing to see Him (2 Timothy 4:8).
Since 2002 Gallup World Poll has been tracking happiness in the world. They wanted to know what is the happiest country in the world.. This year, according to their findings, for the fourth time in a row, the happiest country in the world is Finland. Yes, this small Nordic country in Northern Europe was ranked once again as “The Happiest Country in the World.” Why? Because they enjoy a calm, peaceful lifestyle. They appreciate how things work and they intentionally pause to admire the little things in life as well as the overwhelming things of creation like the Northern Lights.
Advent asks us to pause like the Magi. They saw a star that astonished them and called them to worship (Matthew 2:2). It wasn’t the Northern Lights but it was the True Light that was coming into the world (John 1:9). They intentionally followed it until they saw the Christ Child born Lord at His birth. Scripture says they were overjoyed (Matthew 2:10).
We miss happiness because we are seeking it in all the wrong places. Our searching is limited and distorted until we seek Christ Himself. We seek riches, wisdom, power, pleasure, and fame falsely believing such will bring us happiness or astounding joy. While all the time the Scriptures reveal happiness or astounding joy is found in communion with the Living God (Psalm 144:15).
Oh friend, beloved of God, may you hear this Advent season the astounding joy that can be yours in Christ Jesus. As the old spiritual song proclaimed, “the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.” The believer’s joy is possible because Jesus specifically prayed, “I am coming to you (Father) now, but I say these things while i am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them”(John 17:13).
Advent invites us to know this astounding joy was not just for the Magi or the shepherds. This astounding joy was not only for those who witnessed Immanuel - God with us, performing miracles. This astounding joy was not just for those who saw the empty tomb. This astounding joy is for you and me. Still, this astounding joy in Jesus we pursue and have in this life is only a glimpse of what is waiting for us (1 Corinthians 2:9). We may not experience it in it’s fullness, but it is real. Joy here is a taste of the joy to come.
Until then, let’s join the redeemed and ransomed people of God and rejoice for the Light has come. Rejoicing is the expression of this astounding joy found in Jesus. I want to leave you with Peter’s words to believers trouble by the brokenness of their world. “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed”(1 Peter 4:13).
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Scriptures:
Psalm 16:11
2 Timothy 4:8
Matthew 2:2, 10
John 1:9
Psalm 144:15
John 17:13
1 Corinthians 2:9
1 Peter 4:13
Philippians 4:4
You are loved!!
Rejoice in Jesus!!
Uncle Mike
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