I bet, if you were to ask 100 different people where joy comes from, you might get 100 different answers. While none of those answers are completely inaccurate, joy in the sense that we are discussing in this series comes from salvation through Jesus! Let’s dive into Experiencing Joy today and talk about the Origin of Joy.
In the book of Hebrews, the twelfth chapter, the author pens some of my favorite verses for encouragement.
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
Isn’t that just beautiful! I want to just break this down in my own words for you:
“…a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us…”
We are not in this fight alone! Our sufferings are the same sufferings as other people. We are not fighting a battle that has never been fought before.
“…lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us.”
Doesn’t it, though? I know our first thoughts of sin are the really bad stuff, like murder and adultery. Those things, for the majority of us, are easy to avoid. However, the tiny little things…the little white lies to spare someone’s feelings, the ugly names we call those in traffic {*ahem* guilty}…they are so easy. We are told to just lay those aside.
“Let us run with endurance…”
RUN! Don’t take your sweet time walking. Strap on those running shoes and go for it, with endurance! Don’t stop – keep going. It’s hard, but we have to keep going.
“…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…”
Oh what a beautiful finish line that will be!
“…who for the JOY that lay before Him endured a cross…”
Do you know the story of Jesus’ crucifixion? When I was in high school, I went on a weekend camping trip with my church youth group, and our youth director told us the entire crucifixion story in very vivid detail. It’s been about 20 years since I heard her tell it, and it has remained in the forefront of my mind to this day. Her telling of that horrendous act is in large part what encouraged me to give my life to Christ.
Despite all of the brutal torture my sweet Savior underwent, He did it for me…and for you..and He did it with JOY.
I honestly have tears in my eyes as I type this. To think that He endured, completely blameless, on my behalf, and He did it for the JOY that lay before Him. That joy, friends, is heaven.
Call to Action:
Take a moment and remember where true joy comes from. It’s the promise of heaven; that one day, we will live in our Father’s house. If it’s been a while, I encourage you to read the account of Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27.
Reminders:
Today’s Instagram prompt is: “Beginning”
– Share using #31JoyfulDays and @sweetteagrace
You can also visit my sweet friend Tricia who is sharing 31 Days of Documenting your Life with Joy through photography. Visit her blog HERE and follow along on Instagram HERE.
