What brings you joy?

I am not asking about what stimulates you, excites you, or distracts you. I am asking what brings you joy?

Have you ever considered that Jesus’ words are what ought to bring you joy? Here is what Jesus said,

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11).

Jesus’ words put joy in you.

Jesus’ words will make your joy full.

How many people followed Jesus during His ministry because His words made them strangely joyful?

What would preaching be like if the preacher’s words made people joyful?

Of course, it’s not just the hearing of Jesus’ words that make you joyful, but actually putting them into practice. Jesus was telling the disciples to abide in God’s love:

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (John 15:9-11).

The wonderful thing about true joy is that you can have it wherever you are, whoever you are, in whatever circumstances you are. God’s love is unbounded and accessible anywhere. You might not have been aware of that love or know how to access it. If not, all the more reason why you should hear Jesus’ words, internalize them, and let them transform your thinking—because it is precisely Jesus’ words that bring joy.