Cultivating a Heart of Joyنموونە

Only One Thing Will Produce Genuine Joy

Yesterday, we looked at how genuine joy is a condition of the heart, not a feeling or passing thought. Digging deeper into this topic, we explored three movements of the Spirit that help us cultivate a heart of joy - the movement from control to surrender, self-reliance to dependence, and isolation to community.

Today, we will consider how genuine joy is cultivated in our hearts as we learn to obey the ways of Jesus along the journey of life.

Standing at the intersection of joy and obedience, Richard Foster observed, "In the spiritual life only one thing will produce genuine joy, and that is obedience... To elicit genuine [joy], obedience must work itself into the ordinary fabric of our daily lives."

Sadly, any message challenging us to obey is difficult for our modern ears to receive. More often than not, we would prefer to forge our own path, control our destiny, and build our own earthly kingdom. This me-centric way of life may lead to moments of temporary happiness, but genuine joy will never take root in our hearts. However, there is another path that leads to a transformed heart.

As followers of Jesus, we are invited into an interactive, intimate relationship with Him. He longs to walk day by day with us as we navigate through the various seasons of life. Intimacy is the natural byproduct of abiding in His presence. It is here, in the quiet place alone with Jesus, that mutual love begins to grow. Maybe for the first time, we experience unconditional love that goes beyond what words can express. In turn, we fall more and more in love with Jesus.

Obedience to Jesus and His ways becomes the natural overflow of an intimate, loving relationship with Him. Our eyes are opened, and we begin to understand how deeply our sin hurts the One we love. Maybe for the first time, we hear Jesus speaking the words of Luke 11:28 over our lives, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!"

Friend, the more time you spend abiding in Jesus' presence, the stronger the bond of love between you and Him becomes. From this reservoir of love, obedience begins to "work itself into the ordinary fabric of your daily life," producing a heart bursting with joy. As time passes, joy completes the circle, driving you deeper into the presence of Jesus.