"Joy" - By Max Morton

During this Advent season I have been meditating on Joy.  This is the season of Joy.  It is a reminder to me that Joy is the thing that seems to elude me.  Ever since God revealed Psalm 16:11 to me 10 years ago (for those who know my story it was a particularly joyless time in my life), I have been seeking Joy and it eludes me.  Joy is the thing that seems to be lacking.  I look for it.  I try to find it in the simple pleasures of everyday living in a fallen, sin-cursed world, but somehow, I can't seem to wrap my arms around it. 

Then there is this TRUTH:  Hebrews 12:1-3. 

Jesus knew a JOY that enabled him to endure the cross with its extra helping of shame.  That JOY was me.  It was his love for me; a joyous expectation of the communion we would share in his Kingdom. 

I am beginning to scratch the surface of this buried treasure that he finds his JOY in me and the only way I can experience JOY in this life is to find it in him.  His JOY is me, my JOY is him. 

The writer of Ecclesiastes bemoans the futility of life on planet Earth, for those of us "under the sun." This is the echo of Eden that causes man to wonder "It is not supposed to be like this."  As I center my focus on my JOY being in Jesus like his JOY is in me, I begin to experience the simple joys of this life where I am merely a pilgrim passing through on my way home. 

The joy of my first cup of coffee each day,

a made bed, 

a car that cranks, 

the joy of a job well done. 

The joy of the sound of laughter from my friends and family, 

Christmas presents under the tree, 

sausage balls on Christmas morning, 

the joy of laying down in a good bed at the end of the day, knowing I navigated this fallen world yet again, and tomorrow is one day closer to his return, one day closer to hearing "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the JOY of your Lord." 

In this season of peace and JOY I pray we all find true JOY in the One whom this season is all about. The angels announced it as "Good news of great JOY" and gave glory to God.  JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME.  Let my heart prepare him room, and find in him the source and every expression of JOY. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS