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| These things have I spoken... that your joy might be full (John 15:11) |
Once upon a time, I was walking down this lonesome highway
of life hand-in-hand with God. We were
talking. Or rather, I was fretting to
Him about all the things I didn’t like about the life He had given me. My life was starting to feel so
mundane--consisting of church, work, school, and home. I felt like there was nothing of significance
going for me. I felt this passion and
pull for purpose that was not getting fulfilled.
God listened patiently to my dissatisfaction and petition
for a better life. When I had no words
left in me to utter, I waited quietly for His answer. After a time, God simply
asked, “Is your glass half-empty or half-full?” I don’t know,” I said. “What does this have to do with my
situation?” “Everything,” replied
God.
“The cup represents the life I have given you and the water
represents my Holy Spirit and the blessings that have been bestowed unto you
(Psalm 23:5). When you live your life
primarily focused on all the things you feel I have not given (glass
half-empty), you are focused on the part of the glass that has no water--the
part of the glass that is empty. And
just as that part is empty, so you live your life feeling just the same. Where there is no water, there is dryness
(Psalms 63:1). Where there is dryness
there is thirst (Psalm 107:5).
Therefore, you will become incredibly discontented (thirsty/dry) in your
life’s journey (Psalm 69:3, Isaiah 29:8, and Ezekiel 19:13).
However, when you live your life with your
heart, mind, and soul focused on the water (glass half-full), and you become
thankful and grateful daily for all that you have been given (Colossians 3:15,
Psalms 100:4, Romans 1:21), even for the very little things, you will live a
life where your thirst is continuously quenched (Psalms 105:41). Your soul will become satisfied and content
(Psalm 63:4-5). You will find joy (Psalm
16:11).”When God was finished, I meditated on his Word and words day and night.
After a
time, I decided to challenge myself to live each day as God instructed, placing
my heart, mind, and soul in the “land of thanksgiving,” focusing on the water
already placed in my cup. I would stop
complaining about what I didn’t have, and truly be thankful and grateful for
what I already had—to learn to live in the moment, and to stop fretting about
the unforeseeable future. I would let go
of the reins and put God in total control.
And you know, a miraculous thing began to happen… I started to have Joy in the Journey
(Galatians 5:22).
I started to wake-up each morning andlove my
life more and more--not just in words, but also in my heart, soul, and
mind. I’m talking about complete and
utter joy! To the point, that my
half-full glass, became totally filled to overflowing (Psalm 23:5). Having joy is vital to life (Deuteronomy
28:47-48). Don’t let your life be filled with only man-made manufactured
happiness, but seek joy from above.
Learn to have Joy in the Journey!
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