I’ve been thinking a lot about joy lately, and specifically about something that’s been bothering me: the phrase “joyless Christian.” The more I reflect on it, the more I’m convinced this is one of the strangest oxymorons in the English language – right up there with “jumbo shrimp” and “plastic silverware.” The very idea that someone could be both a follower of Jesus and devoid of joy seems impossible to me.
You see, as believers, we should be among the most joy-filled people on Earth. Our past has been forgiven, our future has been secured – how could we not have joy in the present? Yet I know many of us struggle with this. I’ve had conversations with people who say things like, “If I became a Christian, it would be so boring.” I remember back in my college days, I had friends who would say, “Oh man, if I became a Christian, I’d have to give up all the fun stuff.”
I think about those same friends crawling their way to the bathroom the next morning after a night of partying, and I couldn’t help but think, “I don’t think I’m the one missing out on anything here.” The truth is, the Christian life is filled with adventure and, yes, challenges. Living for Christ does call us to certain standards and choices, but make no mistake – it should also be filled with deep, abiding joy.
This past Friday, we hosted Night to Shine at our church – an incredible prom experience for people with special needs. I wish you could have seen the pure joy radiating from every face. There’s one young lady who comes every year, and despite facing significant physical challenges that make it difficult for her to walk or speak independently, she arrives with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. I know families in our congregation who are battling financial hardships and health issues, yet they come through our doors each week filled with joy in worship.
When I see this, I have to ask myself: if they can be so filled with joy in their circumstances, why do I sometimes struggle? Why do any of us? The Apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell (and not the kind with cable TV and recreation time – we’re talking about a dark, unsanitary dungeon), gives us some profound insights about maintaining joy in our lives.
First, the amount of joy in your life is directly correlated to the priorities of your life. Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Did you catch that? Prayer isn’t the last resort – it’s the first response. When anxiety threatens to rob us of joy, we go to God first.
There’s an enemy out there who wants to steal your joy. He doesn’t show up with horns and a pitchfork – he’s much more subtle. He works through disapproving glances, feelings of loneliness, financial struggles, workplace difficulties, and that nagging discontentment when someone else has something you don’t. But when we prioritize prayer, we build a fortress around our joy that even the enemy cannot penetrate.
Second, the joyful life is the result of pursuing contentment. Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Notice he says he “learned” – this isn’t something that comes naturally. We often think our contentment comes from our resources, security, or convenience. Let me ask you something: would you rather be rich and depressed or poor and happy? (And no, you can’t choose “moderately wealthy and mildly depressed” – I see you trying to find the middle ground!)
The secret to contentment – which Paul says isn’t really a secret at all – is found in Christ alone. Not in achievements, not in possessions, but in abiding in Jesus. When we go all-in with our relationship with Jesus, joy naturally follows.
Finally, when joy seems impossible, Jesus makes it possible. I remember early in my career, working at a television station – my dream job at the time. About six to eight months in, I realized something: I was miserable. The path I had carefully planned for myself looked anything but joyful. During this time, I made the questionable decision to take up running (something you’d never catch me doing today just for fun).
On one of these runs, an old hymn based on Psalm 42 came to mind: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” As these words repeated in my head, I looked to my left and there, just 20 yards away, stood a deer, watching me. We had this moment together – just me and this deer – before it slowly walked away toward the woods. This was during a time when I was wrestling with a call to ministry, something I initially wanted nothing to do with. It meant starting over, going back to school, completely changing course.
But in that moment, watching that deer, I realized something profound: the joy I had been chasing would be impossible unless I trusted God to make it possible. It didn’t happen overnight, but that decision to seek Jesus and let Him bring the joy He promised – that changed everything.
What about you? Maybe you’re at your own fork in the road. You can continue on your current path, the one you know deep down isn’t bringing the joy you desire, or you can shift gears and follow His path – the one where true joy is promised and delivered.
Remember, as a follower of Jesus, your past has been forgiven, your future has been secured, and because of that, we can have deep joy in the present. The recipe is simple, though not always easy: prioritize prayer, pursue contentment in Christ, and trust Jesus to make joy possible when it seems impossible.
You know what’s fascinating? The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” What was that joy? It was you. The one thing Jesus didn’t have in heaven was you, and the joy of bringing His sons and daughters into eternity with Him was worth everything to Him. If Jesus finds joy in you, surely you can find joy in Him.
So today, I want to make this declaration, and I invite you to make it with me: This year, with God’s help and the power of the Holy Spirit, I declare I will choose to be joyful. Jesus has forgiven my past and secured my future, so I can be joyful in the present, no matter the circumstances.
Because a joyless Christian? That’s one oxymoron we never need to be.
With love and joy,
Your Pastor
We always welcome new friends to worship with us. Find a location that’s close to you!
You can learn more about our beliefs and visit our video library to explore more topics like this one. You can also check out our events page to find out what fun new things we’re doing this season.
