Meditations on the Meaning of Christmasنموونە

Should I Desire Joy? Do I Desire Joy in Christ?

Is it important in the Christian life?

As Christians we know our walk will not always be easy, most of us would acknowledge that we knew there would be suffering, but do we truly know we should also desire joy in Christ? It is not only right to desire joy in Christ, it is extremely important, otherwise the desires of our hearts and affections will be drawn away by a very alluring world full of distractions.

“Our hearts will not rest until they find contentment in something. Our hearts are a desire factory… If we don’t find Christ of supreme value, if he is not our supreme satisfaction, something else will be.” JOHN PIPER

How do we keep our gaze on Christ so we do find Him to be of supreme value? We abide in Him, read and meditate on the Word daily, stay constant in prayer and exercise discernment to limit worldly influence in our lives. News media, social media, marketing, etc., are all designed to manipulate and influence our thinking and our affections. Actively desire joy in Christ. As financial writer Cait Flanders said, “what consumes your mind controls your life.”

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Ask yourself if you feed on God’s Word, is it fanning the fire in your heart? Are your affections divided with different trajectories?

“Two natures beat within my breast,
The one is foul, the one is blessed,
The one I love, the one I hate.
The one I feed will dominate.”

- Anonymous

Our life will happen, our days will pass regardless of whether we are intentional in planning the moments or not. If we don’t follow directions or a road map we can begin a journey on auto-pilot and never arrive at our destination or needlessly waste time off course. What if we took our walk with God seriously enough to live each day intentionally on course on God’s road map? Let’s really live as if we really believe God knows best and take each step in faith consistently in accordance with what we say we believe. Take the next month and chart your consistent abiding in the Word combined with a consistent prayer that includes asking and seeking after joy!

Reflect

• Have I had a plan in place to fill my heart with godly desires?
• How do I limit world influence?
• What is the first task that I turn to in the morning, what is the second, third?
• Do my devotions fit in between a weather and traffic report?
• Do I pray before I read my Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and speak through His Word?

Action Steps

• Don’t let your circumstances control your thoughts or behaviour, joy is not a feeling.
• Spend time with God on a regular basis, read God’s Word and call it to mind throughout your day, stay in prayer. Rejoice in the Lord always.