Can we experience joy when we are fulfilling our purpose in life? What is real Joy? You may ask: Can I have joy in my life? Do you have the umph to get motivated and set goals for your life? Are you willing to experience the power of forgiveness that provides true joy? Today we will be talking about how to find purpose and joy in your life.
Do Joy and Purpose Complement Each Other?
Do you find that you are mostly random in your plans, in your goings and comings and yet, somehow you know that there must be more to life. But where do I find it?
Definition of Joy
“Now may the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13. What a wonderful promise we have.
What is Joy?
Joy has such depth of meaning;
- Joy is more than an active word
- the word Joy emanates life itself
- It is something to be desired
- Joy is a word of promise and fulfillment.
It is no wonder that you find yourself seeking these things even though you have not verbalized this even in your thoughts.
How Can I be Joyful?
Contentment brings me joy. When I can say I am at peace with my life, with my relationship with God, with my family and with others, then I feel joy.
It is God’s presence in my life – not any sign of my perfection or of my doing. Just believing His promise of forgiveness; His abiding presence forever gives me peace.
I want to praise His name. Joy fills my soul to the point of singing or dancing and even loving others.
It is pure Joy when I know the gifts in my life that are not of my own doing but undeniably from God. My spouse, my children, friends, the power of forgiveness, beauty of creation – everything in my life! The air I breathe!
These thoughts stir in my soul; I feel a connection with my God; and my soul rejoices.
You sense there is something drawing you to know more.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”
I Peter 1:8.
Joy produces more Joy
Joy is to be cherished but not to be hidden or hoarded. It is because of the Joy we have that we have the desire to share the truth with others. To the grieving, the needy, the hurting, those bound in addiction of various types, the lonely and the broken hearted.
There is Joy to go around and more– to every person God has created. We need to give them the joyous message. The message of hope, that makes our lives meaningful. The desire to share this wondrous gift that is meant for everyone.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
This joy gives strength to my body so that I may go to the schools, the hospitals, the parks, the churches – everywhere. I can go with the authentic Joy that comes from being a Believer in Christ.
This Joy permeates the believers’ lives. It cannot be contained. It must be shared. I love people; I do not have to go far to find a person who can benefit from the gift that I have been given – Joy in the Lord. I am commanded to share these truths and promises. When I do, joy floods my soul and permeates my entire life.
Share your own testimony of your struggles and remember the times that God has delivered you or kept you from getting into the wrong circles. Rejoice in the way you were kept from getting in deep trouble, of falling for the wrong person, from joining the wrong group. Let this history guide your choices for now and keep you from messing up in the future.
My Purpose in Life Gives Joy to Me
- Did you ever wonder why you were born?
- Or wonder what is your purpose?
- Am I fulfilling my purpose?
- Are you fulfilling your purpose?
- Does anyone care?
- Am I important to anyone?
I can assure you that you are here on purpose. Your life began in your mother’s womb where God gave life to you.
Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
He has a purpose for you; and He loves you. Finding that purpose and developing a relationship with that God will bring you joy.
Following those plans to give you hope and a future relationship with that God will fill your life with Joy.
“Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you.”
My Purpose in Life will Help Others
Just as finding the purpose in life gives joy to me, my purpose in life is to give joy to others. When we have Joy, we want to share with others who have not. First, we want to tell them the Source of our Joy. Then we are called to care for others.
In the current pandemic, so many people are responding to the needs of those affected by illness or loss of income. This is thrilling to see. There is joy in giving.
We are always called to feed the hungry, clothe those who do not have adequate clothing and to help provide housing for the homeless.
At times, these are thankless tasks and frustrating. But we find a joy in giving in the name of Christ Jesus. Why? Because we are His followers and that joy in giving was placed in us by God. What a thrill to know we are working with God.
I had the privilege to help build and develop a free clinic for the underserved in our city. It was a lot of grunge work – sometimes frustrated by ungrateful recipients. But the overriding Joy derived from serving those who could not afford medical care overrode the downers.
There was joy in giving Hope again, to giving care to a mother so she could go home to tend her children, and to lift the burden of not having health care from the struggling masses who entered our doors.
The added joy was to then share the precious story of Jesus coming to save each of us – all equal in His sight – to give them the blessed Hope and Joy of eternal life. Medical care and eternal life – what a Joy to share.
Have you found your Purpose?
Have you found Joy?
Are you sharing Life with others? J
Join a local church or volunteer with a charitable organization; and find the joy in sharing with others.
You will find joy and it will put a bounce in your step.
Jesus said, “I was sick and you looked after me…I was hungry and your fed me. I tell you the truth. Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:36, 40
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. “
Jude 1:24-25 ESV
