Steadfast Joy

22 May

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”  (Jn 15:9-11)

I am sure that you have read or heard about mega-lotto winners who, by all accounts, would never have to worry again and who, in a matter of a few years, ended up destitute.

I am sure that you have read or heard about people who secured “dream jobs” that turned into nightmares.

I am sure that you have read or heard about people who got involved in cults and who ended up dying in mass suicides.

I am sure that you have heard a lot of these stories in your life.  I know that I sure have.

You know what you never hear?

You never hear about someone accepting the Lord and remaining totally faithful to the Lord ever going astray.

If someone remains in the Lord, that person is filled with incomparable joy.  Even if the world throws its worst at the person — loss of job, loss of health, loss of a loved one — that person does not despair because that person remains in Christ’s love.

Steadfastness, indeed, brings joy.

May you be steadfast today and each day of your life!

FAITH ACTION:  If there is not a joy deep within you, ask the Lord to come into your life in a fuller way today.  If you are filled with joy, pray for those who need that same joy in their lives.