And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15 ESV)
Joy
Joy is a gift, and a choice. The world tries to teach us that joy comes from circumstances. We will have joy if we have the right environment. We will have joy if we have the right opportunities. We will have joy if we have the right community. We will have joy if we have the right skills.
But those things do not really bring joy.
Joy, an internal happy-peace, only comes when we are aware of our real circumstances (Christians are God’s Redeemed children). Joy, an internal happy-peace only comes when we are aware of our real environment (Christians live in God’s kingdom). Joy, an internal happy-peace only comes when we are aware of our real opportunities (Christians have a life-map in God’s plans). Joy, an internal happy-peace only comes when we are aware of our real community (Christians have unity with the people of God).
And we get to choose that joy. God does not force it on us. God does not even require that we choose His joy in order to be His people.
Joy is God’s gift… and our choice.
And joy is pretty cool.