You're Not Too Lateనమూనా

JOY IN THE WAITING

Chasing the next thing, even if it’s a worthy pursuit, will never result in lasting contentment. It will only leave us wanting more of what the world has to offer.

If we sow to the flesh, focusing on things that will not matter in eternity, we will reap the things of the flesh. If we sow in the Spirit, fixing our eyes on eternal things that will last, we will reap eternal life (Galatians 6:8–10). Much like trying to fill a pot with a hole in the bottom, we often pour our time, resources, and energy into activities or people that can only bring us temporary happiness. Eventually, all the water will drain out of our pots and leave us feeling empty again.

The good news? We don’t have to earn the reward of experiencing true joy. It’s a free gift we receive as we abide in Jesus.

As we learn to trust in God’s timing, we rely on three key elements to help us find joy in the waiting:

The Word: We cannot move from despair to joy without rooting ourselves in Scripture.

God’s character: The more we seek God, the more we understand his limitless love for us.

God’s presence: We carry the Holy Spirit within us wherever we go. Therefore, we are never alone—even when we walk through seasons of hardship.

Satan wants to keep us from knowing God’s joy. Jesus told us that the Enemy comes “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).

To see our situation through a different lens, we have to replace the world’s lies with God’s truth: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Does this mean we have no role to play in God’s purposes for us? Far from it. In fact, despair can be a gift. It leaves us with nowhere to look but up at Jesus, the only one who will ever bring lasting joy (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Lord, I am tired of focusing on my despair. Help me fix my eyes on Jesus. Amen.