Finding Joy in the Journey

As I am traveling with my family (16 hrs in a van) I have been contemplating what is it that often undermines our relationship with God. I think the most obvious is unsatisfied expectations. Do you ever feel like you’re just going through some joyless routines in life? If the truth were known some of us are discontent with the way our lives are progressing. We don’t stop and consider just how much we have been blessed. We lose sight of the big picture by the tyranny of an untrained soul. Another way our joy in God is eroded is by unresolved conflict. Our joy evaporates when we allow conflict between ourselves and another person to go on. When someone’s offense against us occupies our mental and emotional attention, we have little left over for the Lord. Anger clouds the eyes of our heart and obscures our view of God, draining away our joy. Finally the last and most damaging is un-confessed sin. This third area is perhaps responsible for chasing more joy out of lives than any other.

I believe that God not only wants to restore our lost joy, He also wants us to cultivate those things that will build lasting peace and joy into our lives so that we fully enjoy our standing with Him. Here are six ways to cultivate our relationship with Christ. Recognize God as joyful. We can be helped greatly in our relationship with Him if we learn to see the Almighty not as a taskmaster, but as the God of the Universe with a smile on His face. Rehearse God’s attributes in worship. God delights in us and finds great joy in His creation. When we celebrate His attributes in worship we allow our joy to flow back to Him. Reaffirm your commitment to others. Romans 12:15 challenges us to “rejoice with those who rejoice…” Reignite your passion for evangelism. One of the best ways to build joy into your life is by talking to others about Jesus.
Release your problems to the Lord. One of the hallmarks of Christian joy is that it can be experienced in the midst of intense sorrow and loss. Remain close to Jesus. Develop those disciplines that draw you into His presence. The short answer to have a joyful relationship is to nurture your relationship with Jesus and keep in step with the Spirit on a daily basis.