A Joyful Life

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

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As I was reading this verse the other day the thought struck me--am I living life to the fullest? Am I enjoying abundant life?

Do you ever find yourself feeling guilty about doing something you enjoy? I remember someone in high school teaching me that I should do the hard tasks first then do the easier things last. I interpreted that to mean that physical work or mental work is more important than creative activities. I adopted this philosophy, but wound up spending most of my energy on the hard work and seldom had any left for creative projects. If I put anything off to do something creative then I felt guilty. The whole time I would be thinking, I need to be doing such and such. I wasn’t able to enjoy the things I loved doing.

Other examples of joy stealers: feeling that you don’t measure up or that you are never good enough at doing something; feeling guilty over past decisions (I shouldn’t have bought that, or said that, or done that); worrying about the future (something looming on the horizon is demanding my attention). These things steal joy from our lives.

Jesus is our life. He is our life giver. He is living in us and wants to live His life through us. When we stay connected to Him through prayer and Bible reading, we can feel His glad and joyful presence at all times. We can depend on Him to work through us. He will give us the desire to do what He wants us to do, and He will enable us to do it.

Well, I guess that means that I can quit feeling guilty for doing something I enjoy. It must be His will. After all He made the right side, creative side of the brain, as well as the left. It means I don’t have to feel that I don’t measure up because it is Jesus that is working in and through me. It means I don’t have to regret decisions or to worry about the future. He will enable me to make wise decisions, and I can trust His strength for tomorrow.

Let’s make an effort to stay connected to Jesus so that we can enjoy life--the abundant life Jesus intends for us.

Scriptures to Ponder: Colossians 3:4; John 15:4, 7, 11; Psalm 37:4;

Philippians 1:6 and 4:13; Isaiah 12:3; Psalm 32:11.