True Joy Transcends the Rolling Waves of Circumstance

In review of John 15:11 it says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Bottom Line:

Remain in Him, so that you can be made as completely as happy as He is.

What this means to me:

Jesus wants me to remain in Him, He tells me this so that my life will be filled with the same joy he has. And having this joy will make me complete.

Today's verse comes from the middle of John 15. In it Jesus is teaching us about the vine and its branches (its connection). It's important for us to be part of the vine where we can obtain a connection and bear fruit. Some pruning will take place by the gardener (God) in order to help build me into the type of person that can be used. Apart from the vine I will wither. Also, if I'm not producing any fruit I can be cut off and severed. Jesus tells me this so that my joy may be in Him and that it be complete.

When things are going well, I feel elated. When hardships come, I can sink into depression. But true joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When my life is intertwined with his, he will help me walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep me levelheaded, no matter how high or low my circumstances are.

Also what I’m learning is that happiness is not dependent on the type of house I reside in, it depends on the type of person who resides in it. This is actually a choice! I set the tone by deciding who and what my priorities are. If you don’t make a conscious decision to fill the rooms of my home with the love and joy of the Lord, something else will seep in... and it will not be uplifting. So learn to turn off the TV set and read the Word. Make God a priority in my home. Pray together with my wife. Joy is a choice.

I need to choose to serve the Lord both in and out of season and things will begin to pick up. I will experience joy like never before as my cup runs over with the goodness of the Lord.