The Baby & The Bathwater – Build a Strong Life - Thursday
Today’s Verse
John 15:11-12
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (NIV)
There’s a long list of things that make me happy.
Gummy bears. March Madness. Swimming pools. 80s music. New sneakers. Movie theaters. Road trips. Donuts. Kentucky basketball tickets. Helicopters. Gattitown’s pizza buffet. On and on the list goes of things that always seem to put a smile on my face.
But as many things in life as there are that make me happy, over the past few years, I’ve discovered there’s an even longer list of things that bring me joy.
Visiting someone in the hospital. Petting a dog. Encouraging a co-worker. Tipping well at restaurants. Running an errand for my wife. Playing with a toddler on the floor. Making people laugh. Showing up at a funeral home. Meeting a high school kid at Chick-fil-A. Listening to an old man’s stories. Holding doors open for people. Giving someone an opportunity. Telling people about Jesus.
I could probably name a million other things, but these are just a few that come to mind.
At first glance, these two words, happy and joy, might almost seem interchangeable—and many people would probably tell you they are. In fact, one of the more popular social media mantras being preached today is this ideology that says, “Just do whatever makes you happy”. That may be fine for a quick, warm, fuzzy feeling, but the problem is—what makes me the most happy is usually all about…well, making ME happy. It has nothing to do with others or helping anyone but myself. More importantly, it has nothing to do with showing others who Jesus is.
Let me be clear: not everything that makes us happy in this world is harmful—although donuts and pizza buffets certainly can be (or, ya know, so I’ve been told). But nothing compares to the kind of joy that comes from following Jesus. And according to Jesus, that joy comes from a life centered around loving people the way that He does.
So whether it’s praying for someone who needs it, feeding someone who’s hungry, taking care of someone who’s sick, or just showing someone who Jesus is—that’s the kind of joy I hope today brings you. Because that’s the kind of life He wants you and I to have.
REFLECTION
What are some things that bring you joy? Ask God how He can use you to love others the way that He does this week.
