#beJOYfulPrimjer

Be Joyful Following Jesus

The journey to a joy-filled life begins with Jesus. In John 15, near the time of His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus was huddled up with His disciples. He told them (and us) that His followers would experience adversities and hardships. It was important they remain in Him, keep His commands, and love one another. Then He said, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11 NLT). Jesus wanted His joy to be our joy! He desires to fill us with joy that overflows.

The key to being filled with Jesus’ joy, a joy that circumstances cannot steal from us, is clinging to and following Jesus. Following Jesus means thinking His thoughts, loving what He loves, and having the same desire that He had: to glorify God. We need to follow His example in our daily living, and let Him be our guide in all that we do. We are to be to Jesus like a branch is to a vine (John 15:5). We are to stay close to Him, rest in Him, and draw our strength from Him. This is how we tap into the joy supply Christ has secured for us.

Here’s a truth to treasure: The way of Jesus is the way of joy. Joy is the capstone of a vital interrelationship with Jesus. Joy is a gift from Him to our hearts. Jesus wants to fill us with the fullness of joy that is grounded solely in Him rather than the ever-changing circumstances around us. Jesus does not want us to live bleak, melancholic, and miserable lives. He wants us to have an abundant life complete with His great joy. When we follow Jesus’s example, we have the promise of overflowing joy.

Prayer: Dear God, in every season of life I want to stay close to you and know true joy. Will You help me to follow your example daily? Help me to follow your example by obeying your commands and loving other people. I want to abide in You and have Your joy fill me.

Reflect: What does it mean to you to follow Jesus, to let Jesus be your guide? How can you draw closer to Jesus today and tap into His joy supply?