Many today are looking for "Happiness." Unfortunately, "Happiness" is controlled by a person, place or thing. For example, let's say you just purchased the latest new iPhone. You are so happy because it has all these new bells and whistles, etc. On day three of owning this phone, you drop it and the screen cracks :-( Your "Happiness" has just been greatly lessened . See the continued level of "Happiness" with this purchase will be determined by how long it works correctly for you. The minute there is an issue, your level of contentment and "Happiness" will decrease.
Joy on the other hand, is something internal. Joy is spirit given. Joy is something no person, place or thing can control in you! Why? Simple because JOY is given from the Spirit of God! Have you ever wondered why some people can be enduring some of the most painful life circumstances and still walk around with their heads held high and a smile on their face? They somehow want to help someone else in need and are not focused on their own challenges. This is because these individuals have tapped into JOY. They have been internally given JOY! Don't get me wrong, they still have terrible situations, but they refuse to be controlled by those situations! They do have a choice and so do you!
One day while spending time with the Lord, I received an acronym for JOY: Joining Our Yoke! WOW!!! I was so excited. Click on the word "yoke" to get a clear understanding of the meaning of this word. We quickly learn that who or what we attach our yoke with matters greatly.
A common theme of the yoke is "teamwork." I do not know about you, but when I "join my yoke," I want a teammate that can pull their load! I cannot think of a better teammate than Jesus! Joining my yoke with Jesus. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us to take His yoke upon us and we will find rest!
Jesus is the ONLY teammate that will NEVER tire out. Anyone else we could possibly attach our yoke to will eventually wear out, but Jesus! It is no wonder that JOY comes through "Joining Our Yoke" with JESUS! As I write this word of encouragement, I am reminded of the poem Footprints in the Sand. When we tire out, and we will, Jesus will simply pick us up and carry us! When Jesus is our teammate and we are joining yokes with Jesus, we will WIN every time!
Today, take a look and see who you are joining your yoke with? Are you chasing "Happiness" that can come and go like the waves of the ocean? Is your teammate one that will NEVER tire out? Can your teammate carry you when you have nothing left to give? The decision belongs to each of us: we can pursue "Happiness" or we can join yokes with Jesus and pursue JOY!
If you have been going round and round chasing "Happiness," we encourage you to give JOY a shot. You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain. Simply ask the Holy Spirit to help lead you onto the pathway of JOY. Ask for the guidance in seeking JOY instead of "Happiness."
JOIN YOUR YOKE with Jesus today and start walking in JOY!
