Background Passage: John 15:11-16
Today’s Focal Passage: John 15:11-16
11 "I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Do you ever catch yourself asking questions like, “Why am I doing this?” or, “What’s it all for anyway?” Do you ever wonder if life is supposed to be about more – so much more – than what you’re experiencing right now? I think we’ve all been there from time to time.
The world tries to tell us that the “why” and the “what” behind all that we’re doing is meant to be about fulfilling our own pleasure quotas… having as much fun as can possibly be had. And when we’ve exhausted all of the fun that can be had in that situation it must be time to move on to the next option or opportunity. If you’ve ever chased one of these “fun” trails to its end then you probably know how expensive and defeating such attempts can be. Sure, there may be some memorable moments had, but in the end there is still an emptiness that remains unfulfilled.
You might be surprised to know that the Bible does not speak of fun. The word is never uttered in the Biblical text. Not once. The word joy, however, is referenced over 200 times. What’s the difference, you ask? Well…
o Fun is fleeting. Joy is long-lasting.
o Fun we pay for. Joy cannot be purchased.
o Fun is an experience. Joy is produced within us.
o Fun is a distraction the world tells us will satisfy. Joy is the real deal that comes in knowing Christ and following the plans He has for you.
When we see our lives as an opportunity to fulfill the plans of God, verses the plans we construct based on the pleasures of this world, we will become people who pursue joy through Jesus, because we know that nothing less can satisfy! Pray today that Jesus will show you which path (fun or joy) you are currently traveling on… and how best to make any changes that might be necessary.
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