When Jesus came on the scene 2000 years ago, He turned the world upside down. What a person thought was right was actually wrong. He didn't come to put a damper on joy but rather He came to give us true joy and to set us free from the enemy who holds us captive by his cunning schemes and counterfeit joy. That’s what the "joy paradox" is all about. A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself but remains true. The Bible is filled with paradoxes: Lose your life to find it. Die to live. Give to receive. The least is the greatest and the greatest the least. The humble is exalted. The weak are strong. The wise are foolish and the foolish are wise. And though you are free you are a slave.
So it is with joy. Joy does not come by having more stuff; it doesn't even come by having all you want. Rather, joy comes by giving up all you want and trusting God for all you need. You and I know that things will come and go. How sad it is if our joy comes and goes just the same. This teaches us not to place our trust in things. Instead we place our trust and hope in the solid Rock that is never shaken. Only then will we see our JOY remain. That is TRUE JOY.
This Christmas season may we remember where true JOY comes from... “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
So it is with joy. Joy does not come by having more stuff; it doesn't even come by having all you want. Rather, joy comes by giving up all you want and trusting God for all you need. You and I know that things will come and go. How sad it is if our joy comes and goes just the same. This teaches us not to place our trust in things. Instead we place our trust and hope in the solid Rock that is never shaken. Only then will we see our JOY remain. That is TRUE JOY.
This Christmas season may we remember where true JOY comes from... “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
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