If you haven't read the first 17 verses of John chapter 15, stop reading this and go read them. They are a powerful reminder of the importance of staying connected to our creator. How do we do this? Through prayer, studying the bible, fellowship with other believers, trusting in Him, and presenting our requests.
What do we receive if we do this? Joy. His joy in us and our joy complete. (Our joy never really could be complete without His joy right?)
This was my reading today from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, the bold emphasis is mine. (If you don't have a daily devotional, or are looking for a new one, I highly suggest this one. You can read it online or pick up a copy at almost any Christian (and many regular) bookstore.)
"What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father - the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do- '...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross...' (Hebrews 12:2). 'I delight to do Your will, O my God...' (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?
Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, '...the cares of this world, ...choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.' (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold - He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.
Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you 'will flow rivers of living water' (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His 'living water'. Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live 'your life...hidden with Christ in God' (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing."
This passage is full of so many nuggets! Jesus received his joy from self-surrender and self-sacrifice. Do we wake up every morning and before we even get out of bed surrender our self to the Lord's will? Do we commit to laying down our lives for those around us? (John 15:13) Are we devoted to one another in love? Do we honor others above ourselves? (Romans 12:10)
Bodily health, our circumstances, and even seeing God's work isn't where we receive a full life. Instead, the fullness of life comes from our relationship with God, through a oneness with him. So why is it so hard to develop this oneness and then maintain it? As Chambers says, because we allow ourselves to focus too much on our own circumstances and the cares of this world. There is so much competing for our attention on a daily basis, little of it has anything to do with strengthening our relationship in Christ. Work, social responsibilities, social media, politics, "religion", family matters, friend issues, material belongings...all of these can distract us from focusing on God, from hearing His quite whisper. All of these can turn our thoughts inward, almost as a mode of self-protection.
The answer to these distractions? Chambers says, we should "have the right relationship with God." Easier said than done, right? But he does give us insight into how we can do this. Stop focusing so much on ourselves. Stop saying we love our brothers and sisters and yet never putting their needs before ours. Stop saying we love Jesus and yet not allowing His plans to override our plans. It's not easy, but nothing of great value ever is. We can begin today. We can chose to listen to God's voice over the thousands of voices shouting at us through TV, advertisements, billboards, Facebook, Twitter, the Internet. We can chose to go against the flow, to stand out, to be a little different, to shine like stars in the universe....for that is what we who are called to do. (Philippians 2:15). We can commit to taking a step forward, for standing up and standing out for what (and who) we know is true. It is then that our joy will be complete. It is then that His love will change us from the inside out.
I pray each of us will commit to surrendering ourselves to a God that loves us undeniably and to sacrificing ourselves for others, rather than living a life wholly centered on ourselves. If we do, I believe we will see mighty changes in this world, our temporary home. Amen.
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