Advent Devotional: Make Room for JesusSample

Day 15: Make Room for Joy

During Jesus’ last days on earth, He infused joy into his disciples in different ways. He gave plenty of instructions and He pushed them to see things through a new lens. He upended past notions of peace and joy and instead re-wrote the story. By helping them focus on obedience in following Him, He knew that joy would be a bi-product of this new way of living. In fact He told them,

"If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."-John 15:10-12

Obedience is not always a fun word to address. It can be associated with negative emotions from childhood. It could have been used as a scare tactic or a push toward fear in your past. Whatever it may be, we don't often associate obedience with joy.

But when Jesus came on the scene, He wrote a new story for God's people. Following Him in obedience wasn't meant to be used as a fear tactic. Instead, His plan was that obedience could become an avenue of transformation for His people. He came to this earth to show us a better way to do life. He promised that, when we follow Him in obedience, He places His own joy in us. That's an incredible promise! To have God's gift of joy in us can dramatically change the way we live!

Reflect:

• Why does obedience sometimes prompt negative emotions in people?
• When have you experienced an unexplainable joy that came from following God in obedience?
• How is Godly joy different from happiness?

Pray:

Offer up an area to God today that you know you need to step out in obedience. Pray the words of Psalm 143 :10, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing."