This morning I am continuing my study of the word “joy” and found myself reading of what appears to be contradictory to what I have studied and been writing for the past few weeks, joy is found in and with God. Yet, this morning I see that Paul counts those Christ followers at the church at Philippi as his joy.
“1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” — Philippians 4:1 (ESV)
So I have to ask, is my joy found in others or in God? YES. I know that seems a bit ambiguous and does not answer the question, but it really does. I see that I find my joy in God, and that joy is manifest in the work that I do for and with those of like mind. I look to God to bring me the joy that only he can. The source or cause of delight as Merriam-Webster indicates. God is where I go for my spiritual healing and comfort and joy.
Once I have that joy provided by God, I must be on the lookout for others with the joy of the LORD as well. I have to find them and commune with them. I have to recognize that they are my brothers and sisters in Christ and that they are the source of my physical mortal joy as we work together in service of the Father. We are unified in our goal and approach to the goal, even though out actions to reach the goal are likely very different and based on the talents provided by God to each of us.
So, YES, my joy is found in God and in my brothers and sisters in Christ. I receive the joy of the LORD from Him and then I am able to recognize that joy in those around me. Once it is recognized, it is my task to bring out the best. I have to celebrate others as those that of like mind with me and know that they are, as Paul puts it, “my joy and crown”.
Where is it that joy comes from for you? Are you looking to have joy come from others? What if you find the joy of the LORD from Him and then seek to locate others with it also and unify with those that are of like mind?
Trevor's Thoughts 