Where Joy Is Found

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Have you lost your joy lately, and you’re not sure where to find it? If so, you’re not alone—I have been there more times than I can count. When my schedule is packed to the brim, I often find myself joyless as I try to keep up with an impossible pace. Not long ago, the stress of work along with managing the schedules and needs of my three children brought me to the brink of exhaustion. My time with Jesus fell by the wayside, and I almost skipped the local Bible study I attend each Wednesday. I knew from past experience, though, that my joy in Jesus is renewed when I spend time with sisters in Christ. So I went anyway, and even though my body was tired, my soul was refreshed as we read God’s Word together.

If we truly want heart change, we have to go to the one who changes hearts.

But what does this actually look like? How do we spend time with Jesus when we can’t see or touch him?

Though we can’t touch, see, and talk to Jesus in person, God has provided ways for us to commune with him while we wait for his return. Here are some tangible ways to spend time with him—and retrieve our joy.

• Spend time with Jesus by fellowshiping with his body, the local church. We grow in godliness by spending time with his people. It’s possible to have nothing else in common with someone, but when you both have Christ, you can form the greatest bond of fellowship. God has given us brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage and be encouraged by, to worship with, and to learn from and alongside (see Acts 4:32). When we spend time with other believers, we are spending time with our Savior.
• Spend time with Jesus by reading (or listening to) the Word. Jesus is the embodiment of the Word of God. John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We can’t know Christ intimately apart from the Word, because every page of Scripture points to him (see Luke 24:27).
• Spend time with Jesus by enjoying his creation. Colossians 1:16 says, “By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Creation shouts his glory (see Psalm 19:1). We can spend time with Jesus by enjoying the world he has made.
• Spend time with Jesus through worship. Turn on worship music and sing a song of praise. You might want to physically get on your knees in a posture of humility and pray through a psalm. Talk to him by praying his Word and singing his praises (see Psalm 95:1-3; Ephesians 5:19).
• Spend time with Jesus by loving your neighbors (including your children, your spouse, your friends, and your coworkers). Jesus explained that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second is to “love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:36-40). One way we love Jesus is by loving the people around us, following his example of humility and sacrifice (see John 15:12-17).
• Spend time with Jesus by feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, and caring for those in need. In Matthew 25:40-45, Jesus tells about the final judgment, shedding light on how we can serve him by serving “the least of these.” We spend time with Jesus by giving to those in need, knowing when we serve and give to others in his name, we do it for him.

Spending time with Jesus might look like getting away and being alone with him, but it might also look like being with others who point you to him. His presence is with us, and his Word is alive and gives life to our souls. This is the path to true, soul-satisfying joy.

Word before World Joy is found in spending time with Christ, the ultimate source of joy.

Grow in Grace Whatever it takes, set aside some time to spend with Jesus today. Right where you are, with what you have, make your life about him, around him, for him, and through him.