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Ten8 Fire

It’s Right in Front of You

B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO

At some point, I am sure you can remember looking for something that you could not find, only to have someone come behind you and find it immediately.  Most of the time when this occurs, the item you were looking for was literally right in front of your face, or exactly where someone told you it would be located.  But for some reason, you could not see it.  You may have been distracted, busy or simply not interested in the task at hand. Nonetheless, you wasted time looking in the wrong place and maybe even added some frustration to the moment. While this is most notable when we are looking for an item that is physically tangible, have you ever wondered if the same thing can occur for those things that are felt but not seen?

Emotions play such a critical role in our overall health and ability to develop relationships. Emotions are a powerful catalyst of our thoughts and behavior.  Among the list of most powerful is joy.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy “as a state of happiness or felicity; a source or cause of delight.”  The pursuit of happiness has long been recognized as a desired accomplishment in life.  In fact, it is even one of our unalienable rights listed in the United States Declaration of Independence.  When you are full of joy, even the challenges and setbacks in life seem a little easier to navigate. I love the portion of the definition that says, “a source or cause of delight”.  In our pursuit of happiness, I believe the real challenge is finding the correct source. We have all seen people attempt to find joy in money, possessions, relationships, hobbies, power, and a myriad of other things.  However, these produce only temporary pleasures that often distract us from finding the real and sustainable source of joy.  

Each year we pause to enjoy the festivities around Christmas.  The gift giving, food and fellowship make this an enjoyable season for most.  As we approach Christmas, I could not help but think of the Christmas carol, “Joy to the World”.  The lyrics say, “Joy to the World! The Lord is come”. If you have found yourself searching for joy in life, let me have the pleasure of pointing out that the answer is right in front of you.  Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart”.  The real celebration in Christmas is the birth of our Savior Jesus and He is the only real sustaining source of joy we can depend on.  While the Christmas season provides a good reminder of His love and faithfulness in our lives, it is important to remember that joy is not limited to the holidays, but available year-round to all who believe.

You may have noticed that I said it is an enjoyable season for most.  I am always sensitive to those who are struggling and hurting during the holidays.  A recent loss of a loved one, family crisis or another of the many challenges of life can quickly distract us from the enjoyment around the season and steal our joy.  Psalms 30:5 says, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”  If you are connected to the Joy of the World, even those of us struggling a bit this Christmas season can be encouraged that challenges pass over time and joy comes with the morning. 

My prayer for each of you, as we finish out the year and celebrate the birth of our Savior, comes from a prayer written by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.  Romans 15:13 says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit”.  

Challenge: Don’t be distracted by the things in life that only provide temporary joy.  Focus on the only true and sustaining source of joy which is Christ Jesus.  As you walk through the challenges of life, never forget that God’s favor lasts a lifetime and joy comes with the morning!

Published: December 1, 2021

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