What Brings You Joy?

Interestingly, Paul writes these famous words from a (Roman) prison.

Paul is in an extremely difficult place and his circumstances are far from pleasant or joyful. He is being held in stocks, amidst the overpowering stench of the sewers of Rome. And yet he is urging the Philippian church to rejoice. How does that even make sense, you say? He should be miserable in that miserable prison, right? How could he actually rejoice in this terrible scenario? Is Paul asking his readers to do something that he was not practising himself?

Well, not really.

The crux of the issue is Paul's focus and trust. The truth is that Paul was in a very difficult place. Though his situation was real and tough Paul kept his focus on the purpose of the gospel and eternity. He was willing to trust his Lord. He was willing to surrender to this Lord and find his refuge in Him. And so similarly, he is encouraging the Philippian church to rejoice. To rejoice, be joyful not because of their difficult circumstances, not because life is a bed of roses. But to rejoice, in the Lord.

To rejoice in the Lord, because you can trust Him and His purposes. To rejoice because you can find your refuge in Him. Rejoice because, in the worst of your circumstances, the Lord is still in absolute control and is with you, no matter what. To rejoice in the Lord is to look beyond your today, with hope to an eternity with Him.

Very often we tend to believe that our joy lies in the ‘ifs' and ‘whens'. If only my situation was different, if only my health was better, if only he/she treated me better, if only I had a different job, if only I had a different education/more education. Or it could be, I will be happier when we have more money, or when we have a bigger house or when my children settle down etc. The list can go on.

Paul chose to find his joy in the Lord, even the most difficult situations. How about you?

Lord help me keep my eyes fixed on You and so rejoice in You, whatever be my circumstances, I pray.