Joy Versus Happiness
“Joyful, Joyful, We adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love” is the opening line of one of the most recognize hymns sung in the church. Even Hollywood presents a rendition of this joy-centered hymn for the Finale in Sister Act 2. There is something powerful about joy in the human soul. This third week of Advent we are invited to celebrate the joy that is found in Christ alone.
What is the difference between joy and happiness? The world informs us with every media platform that we are to be happy. Everything is designed and marketed with the intent of making us happier about life and ourselves. When we fail to experience this happiness then it is someone or something else’s fault.
Happiness is circumstantial, fleeting, and fragile. Seeking happiness in this life will make us hedonistic. Our entire life is bent on finding and holding onto something that falls through our fingers like the sand on the beach. However tightly we hold the sand it will eventually slip away. So it is with earthly happiness.
Joy is different! Yes, joy is not just an attitude or mental assent. Whereas happiness is based on what we hold in our hands, joy is based on Whom we hold in our heart. The above mentioned hymn was a poem intentionally written to be scored with Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” The author, the son of a minister later to become a minister himself who was a college professor and a Navy chaplain during World War I, penned the words 80 years after Beethoven had died. In 1907 the poem and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony were joined together. Today we join the church’s choir and sing to the One who is the “Giver of immortal gladness.”
Jesus reminded His disciples in John 15 that the revelation knowledge He was sharing with them about the Father was to produce joy in Him and them. “These things have I spoken to to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) The word translated “remain” can also mean “to continually abide.” This abiding joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep disposition that Paul declares is only produced by the Holy Spirit in the believer (Galatians 5:22).
It is my prayer that during this Advent journey the Holy Spirit will take the Scriptures and reveal our Heavenly Father as the “Giver of immortal gladness” Who alone is able to “Fill us with the light of day.” And who is this light? None other than Jesus Christ who declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
My friend, there is no greater joy than to joyfully abide in the One Who created us for Himself. Augustine was right when he penned those famous words, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
So let us desire this abiding joy. Let us never be ashamed to proclaim, “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.”(Psalm 97:11-12)
“Father, grant us this abiding joy as we release our pursuit of earthly happiness and seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Oh, that we may fully experience the joy of Jesus. Now and forever, Amen!”
Scriptures:
John 15:11
Galatians 5:22
John 8:12
Psalm 97:11-12
You are loved!
Be joyful in Jesus!
Uncle Mike
What is the difference between joy and happiness? The world informs us with every media platform that we are to be happy. Everything is designed and marketed with the intent of making us happier about life and ourselves. When we fail to experience this happiness then it is someone or something else’s fault.
Happiness is circumstantial, fleeting, and fragile. Seeking happiness in this life will make us hedonistic. Our entire life is bent on finding and holding onto something that falls through our fingers like the sand on the beach. However tightly we hold the sand it will eventually slip away. So it is with earthly happiness.
Joy is different! Yes, joy is not just an attitude or mental assent. Whereas happiness is based on what we hold in our hands, joy is based on Whom we hold in our heart. The above mentioned hymn was a poem intentionally written to be scored with Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” The author, the son of a minister later to become a minister himself who was a college professor and a Navy chaplain during World War I, penned the words 80 years after Beethoven had died. In 1907 the poem and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony were joined together. Today we join the church’s choir and sing to the One who is the “Giver of immortal gladness.”
Jesus reminded His disciples in John 15 that the revelation knowledge He was sharing with them about the Father was to produce joy in Him and them. “These things have I spoken to to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) The word translated “remain” can also mean “to continually abide.” This abiding joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep disposition that Paul declares is only produced by the Holy Spirit in the believer (Galatians 5:22).
It is my prayer that during this Advent journey the Holy Spirit will take the Scriptures and reveal our Heavenly Father as the “Giver of immortal gladness” Who alone is able to “Fill us with the light of day.” And who is this light? None other than Jesus Christ who declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
My friend, there is no greater joy than to joyfully abide in the One Who created us for Himself. Augustine was right when he penned those famous words, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
So let us desire this abiding joy. Let us never be ashamed to proclaim, “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.”(Psalm 97:11-12)
“Father, grant us this abiding joy as we release our pursuit of earthly happiness and seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Oh, that we may fully experience the joy of Jesus. Now and forever, Amen!”
Scriptures:
John 15:11
Galatians 5:22
John 8:12
Psalm 97:11-12
You are loved!
Be joyful in Jesus!
Uncle Mike
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