Joyful

3/5/2020

Acts 20:24 “…so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus.”

“Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing.” Oswald Chambers

Did you ever notice how happy people usually are when they are fulfilled in life? It could be for any reason, truly: being a parent, artist, physician, teacher, mechanic, etc. Find what you love to do and get paid for it, is a saying I have heard a lot recently. Aptitude undoubtedly goes a long way towards this aim, having a gift in a certain area as it were. Two people can be performing the same function, and one person happily goes about their day, while another is just miserable. Is this a state of the attitude or not doing what you were created to do?

My husband and my son both are fulfilled in what they do, although their occupations are very different. My husband has been in the aircraft field his entire career. As a kid, he always enjoyed problem solving by tinkering with machinery, or doing any kind of puzzle, and he excels in those areas. He has been using these gifts all his life. My son, on the other hand, was always drawing, acting out scenes, or writing. All these gifts factor into what he is doing now. What they both do brings them joy.  I am blessed to know that they each have a deep and abiding faith in God, which guides them on their separate paths as they try to honor Him in all they do.

In today’s verse, Paul is speaking of finishing his course with joy; little does he know at this point where that course will take him. He suffered greatly for the gospel, and his love and devotion to Jesus never wavered. He was always willing to do anything for God. In Philippians Chapter 1, Paul speaks about rejoicing because the message of Christ is being preached; he said this while in prison. His joy was not based on his situation, but on the mission to spread the gospel. He had such an amazing depth of faith and love for Jesus. 

Could I say the same for myself? Do I rejoice when I suffer for the sake of spreading the gospel? Am I fearless in sharing the Good News with others? Do I live my life in service to God and live it joyfully? Am I open to His leading, and look at a need as opportunity and not a burden? This is the charge of every believer who loves the Lord. Jesus asks, “Thou lovest Me?” Then- “Feed My Sheep.” It is something we are compelled to do because of our regeneration through Jesus’ saving grace. Chambers says, “There is no choice of service, only absolute loyalty to Our Lord’s commission; loyalty to what you discern when you are in closest contact with God.”