Achieving Joy
Every morning my dog waits patiently to be let outside for his morning explorations. When I open the back door, he can’t contain his excitement and virtually bursts out into the yard. He looks almost like a deer as he leaps to the fence to see if his doggy neighbor is outside. Then he jumps over to his favorite tree to see if we have any squirrels he needs to know about. He explores with such joy every morning, so thrilled to see what the new day has brought.
The new day doesn’t excite his owner as much, especially if it involves an early morning. Usually I roll out of bed after hitting the snooze button too many times, trying to remember what day it is and grumbling about everything I must do that day. Most days I eventually come around to a good attitude, but it’s so easy to get bogged down with day-to-day drudgery, worries, responsibilities, and stress.
Day-to-day responsibilities don’t have to be drudgery, and we don’t have to drown in worries and stress. The Lord has made it possible for us to experience true joy in life, but so many times we refuse to accept that gift.
Back in June, I was reading Lauren Flake’s post here at The Glorious Table. One question she asked struck such a chord that it stayed with me all day. I was compelled to write it down in several places so I would remember it. She asked, “What if loving God and others well is truly all we need to accomplish in this lifetime?”
I’m a goal-oriented person. I love the feeling of accomplishment. Sometimes constantly striving to meet self-imposed goals, however, can become less than fulfilling. Why? Could it be we’re striving toward the wrong goals?
The two greatest commandments in the Bible are to love God and love others. What if we viewed all our life experiences through their lens? Goals and achievements are great, but they ring hollow if we’re not achieving joy with them. The best way to achieve joy is to love God and love others.
What if we set our goals with a new perspective? What if, when we set our personal goals, we ask ourselves how we can show we love God and love others with those goals?
The world is full of problems, and it always will be. As Christians, it’s our job to bring hope to a sinful and dying world. The best way to do this is also to love God and love others.
Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (CSB). This verse is written on the front page of one of my writing journals to remind me of my purpose on this earth as a Christian.
While self care is important, most of the time we need to focus on others over self. When we get outside of ourselves and focus on the love of God and being there for people, life is so much better. Constantly focusing on ourselves can just bring on more worry and stress, not to mention resulting in an unfulfilling life,because that is not how we were created to live.
Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (CSB). Then verses 25–34 are focused on worries and anxiety. Jesus is telling us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, and not to worry about tomorrow. His instructions are to seek God first, and then everything else will fall into place.
I think we Christians know this and believe it, but we have a hard time actively living it. The world is so loud and pushy, wanting us to achieve more and more materially, focus solely on ourselves, and push God into the background.
I challenge you to set some new goals or refocus your current goals with this new perspective of putting God and others first. I’m going to do the same. Whether or not I receive material accolades or worldly recognition, I know pursuing my goals with this perspective will allow me to achieve the true joy that comes with serving my Lord.
is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.
Photograph © Timothy Eberly, used with permission
