From Where Does Your Joy Come?

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:9-17 (NIV)

The word Joy is mentioned previously in the Gospel of John only once – in John 3:29, When John voices his joy being his, and complete – because he is tending to the Bridegroom, Christ.

So what does it mean to have joy? How do we attain it? What does it look like?

I once met a very uniquely, successful, loving man. His name is Hunter “Patch” Adams. I knew him only by Robin Williams portrayal of him in the 1998 movie titled “Patch Adams.” He was a clown doctor who loved patients and wanted to provide affordable – even free treatment, to those who were in need.

Early in the Spring semester in the Grand Market Place (our dining hall) at the University of South Carolina, My friends spotted the real Patch Adams, and suggested that I meet him. As an audacious Sophomore, I was up for the meeting. I boldly introduced myself “ Hello, Patch! I’m Diana Carey, I thought you’d want to meet me.” – Who was I? After an unredeemable introduction, Patch and I started into a great conversation, which led him to ask me. – “Diana, where does your joy come from?” Rarely does such an opportunity present itself in this manner. I began to tell him all about my relationship with Jesus. Mind you, the Lord had revealed himself to me just 2 years earlier. I told him that I had joy because it was the joy of the Lord, in me. – And his response I’ll never forget. He said, it makes sense that people who know the Lord would have true joy. “After all,” he said “You claim to know God, so shouldn’t you possess such joy?” – The answer – YES! – In knowing the Living God, Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Lord, I have everlasting joy which no earthly circumstance could rob from me.

Joy comes only from the Lord. It is an everlasting quality. We can have joy because when redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ we know our future is secure in Him for eternity. There are many moments that make us happy in life. This happiness is as a result of something bringing temporary delight. With the Lord’s promised seal of salvation for those who believe in Him, joy is not temporary, but a forever blessing!

And what an encouragement to be reminded that for Christ, it was a joy to endure the cross – Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It was through a life of steadfast righteousness that our King attained his joy and dominion. Can we also conclude that we can share His experiences by that same means? May you be blessed and filled with joy in the knowledge and reality that Jesus Christ loves you and has filled you with His joy in order that we may love Him and others until we are reunited with Him. Let that be your joy!