Joy - More Than Enough Series

Spiritually, millions of people are dying from the thing they think will solve their problem. They sense a need in themselves and seek desperately to fill that need. But their solution only makes the problem worse, leaves them thirstier than when they began. So what happens? Another trip to the store. Another desperate ploy for a promotion. And every time the emptiness is worse because of the disappointment from our last transaction having not filled us. Now into this environment of frustration and pain and emptiness, I want to bring the words of Jesus. Here’s how Jesus described himself. Here’s Jesus at a well with a woman who’s drawing water. And he says,

John 4:13-14 (NIV)

13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,

14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

In other words, there’s a permanent solution to your emptiness. You can get out of the more-more cycle. And when you do, you know what the result is? Joy. Joy is knowing you have what you need. Joy is resting in God. Joy is getting out of the rat race. Joy is being relieved of the illusion that we’re going to buy, or manufacture, happiness or peace or love or contentment or anything else we most desire in our lives. When we step out of the rat race and commit our way to God, leave our life in His hands, we have found a cure to the fundamental disease of the human race. Call it what you want, but the Psalmist names it best with the words, “More, more, more, more.” The Apostle Paul wrote:

Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

That is joy. Joy is deep contentment that isn’t dependent on circumstances. It has nothing to do with whether or not you are healthy, or rich, or good-looking, or successful at your job. Joy comes from being alive to your life. Joy doesn’t even have a whole lot to do with being happy or sad. You can carry around an awful lot of sadness and still have a sense of joy. Did you know that? You might say, “Well, if you’re sad, where would the joy come from?” I’m glad you asked.

Psalms 4:8 (MSG)

8 At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together.

No matter what has happened – whether the events of the day have been positive or negative, good or bad, up or down, to your advantage or the advantage of someone who hates you, joy is ending the day ready for sound sleep, knowing that God has put our lives back together. And how has God done that? By pulling us out of the rat race. Satisfying what was turning out to be an unquenchable thirst. Getting us off the treadmill of slavery to material things that don’t satisfy. Taking the saltwater bottle out of our hands that was killing us, and replacing it with cool, fresh, water that quenches spiritual thirst for real, and for good.