A Hope Eternal - Advent DevotionalSample

The world wakes up each morning chasing after an elusive goal—happiness. We spend a lot of time chasing after material possessions such as the latest tech gadget. Perhaps it is the perfect job or that promotion you have been working so hard for. Maybe it is the perfect spouse or that dream vacation getaway. Surely those things will make me happy.

There is nothing wrong with any of those pursuits except when they crowd out something more important. Happiness is fleeting—here today and gone the next minute. It is a pursuit that is often self-centered, where the focus is on me and my feelings. Thank God there is something more permeant and meaningful than happiness—it is called joy.

Advent is the perfect time to take account of what we are chasing. Advent provides a chance to stop and think about what is most important, or more precisely, Who is important. While happiness is a human emotion, the Scriptures talk about joy. Joy is not human, nor is it an emotion. In Galatians 5:22, the Apostle Paul lists joy as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. This sets joy apart from happiness. While happiness is a temporal emotion, joy is a person—the Holy Spirit. As we pursue God, come to know Him, and develop a relationship, joy flows into our hearts. It becomes a question not of what we pursue but Who.

The second week of Advent focuses on joy. Take this Advent season to refocus your life. Realize that true happiness does not come from what we pursue but from Who we pursue. Set aside time to draw close to the true source of joy, and you will find the happiness you have been pursuing.

Prayer

Lord, I take time from my busyness to refocus on You. Come, Holy Spirit, with Your presence and release Your joy in my heart. I am sorry for having sought happiness in things to the degree that it has crowded out my time with You. Renew my heart and fill my life with Your presence and joy. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the joy His birth has secured for my life, which we celebrate in this holy Advent season. Amen.

James T. Flynn, D.Min., is the associate dean of Instruction & Operations and associate professor of Practical Ministry for the Regent University School of Divinity.