How often do we see our society strive for ultimate joy as the ultimate goal? The desire to experience ultimate joy is not the problem; the problem is in our striving for it, searching for it in the wrong places. We chase things that we believe will bring us to the mountain top. That relationship, that job opportunity, that picturesque vacation, that carefully curated house. We chase the solutions to our circumstances as if we can control the outcome- if we could just make that situation better, we could experience joy in our life again. In our own efforts we seek out joy but what we end up with is momentary happiness, and when we anchor the standard for our joy there, we will be disappointed every time.

But there is good news! Jesus says in John 15 that HIS joy will be found in us when we remain in His love. Ultimate, true, unwavering joy is not found in what we can attain here on this earth, but in what has already been attained for us in eternity. Our salvation in Jesus is our source of ultimate joy. That is why Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, “Rejoice IN THE LORD always” (emphasis added). We can rejoice always because our joy is not found in our circumstances, it is found in the finished work of Christ. When things are less than ideal, when there is sorrow, when things feel broken, when you feel discontent, you can still rejoice because your circumstance is not the end of your story.

In her book, One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp connects true joy to giving thanks. The Greek word for thanksgiving is eucharisteo, and found right in the middle of it is the Greek word for grace, charis, along with its derivative, the Greek word for joy, chara. Thanksgiving, grace, and joy. All connected. As Ann writes, “God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.” When we live out of a posture of gratitude for who God is and what he has done, then we experience true joy. When we continually practice saying “thank you” to God, our hearts are transformed to see beyond the temporary and the fleeting. This week, instead of making a list of the things you wish were different or the things you wish you had, make a list of the gifts you experience from God. The small, daily graces and the eternally significant ones. See the joy that begins to bloom as you do.