Daily devotional, April 19, 2024 To the left, to the right

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

I am not so sure about what Gen Z people will call it but my generation calls a person who “bursts bubbles” as a K.J. or Kill Joy. It could be a person of authority like a strict teacher, it could be an elder in the family like a parent, or an older sibling, or it could even be a conscientious friend.

Someone who will not think twice to point out the wrong but seemingly fun and harmless things that are being done by others. Someone who is responsible to put an end to meaningless or even hurtful pursuits.
But in hindsight, kill joys are not really killers of joy. They are just standing for what is right, and are just trying to shine their righteous light to eliminate darkness at least where he or she is.

"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” 
John 3:20-21

If we take a closer look into our lives, we may see that sometimes, we are the killers of our own joy. We tend to compare our lives with others, and covet what we do not have.  The recent World Happiness Report showed data that for the first time in 20 years, one of the world’s richest and most powerful countries, the United States, failed to make it to the Top 20 happiest nations. It fell out of the top 20 because American Millennials reported a drastic drop in happiness, which experts attribute to social media use.

Talk about the famous quote of their 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, who famously said that “Comparison is the thief of joy.” A thief of joy indeed.

As followers of Jesus, we are being encouraged to focus on our own lives and work for His glory. To not compare ourselves and our skills and gifts with others.

"Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding." 
2 Corinthians 10:12

That same theme of not looking to another, was somehow carried out in his letter to the Thessalonians. In that epistle, St. Paul urged believers there to mind their own business as they strive to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord:

"But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." 
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

And when we live our lives quietly, and we faithfully seek Him, and abide in Him, God promises that we will have contentment in our hearts. That we may not be the richest person in terms of material wealth, but we will feel that we lack nothing.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34:8-10

Once we have discovered that God is the true source of joy, we will learn to see situations and things in a different light. We tend to align to His will, and see beyond what the world sees. And as we delight in His word and guidance, we will have the kind of joy that does not dissipate in our hearts. The joy that cannot be robbed from us, and may not even be understood by those who have yet to know the Lord:

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 16:11

We live miserably because we keep on regretting our failures, and we let anxiety rule our days because we refuse to cast our worries on our Sovereign God. We lack joy because we keep on comparing ourselves and our own personal progress with others. It is high time that we give ourselves the chance to experience the joy offered by our one true God. Our God who is faithful to deliver us, who is more than glad to make us joyful, and who loves us despite our many mistakes and failures.

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 
1 Peter 1:8-9

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 34 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Have you discovered the true source of lasting joy?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for being the real source of joy in my life. Allow me to see things differently, and focus on just seeking and abiding in you. I want to treasure in my heart, the joy that only you can give. Amen.