Glue

i just saw a commercial that promised me if bought this new,  space-age glue product…my holidays would become more joyful.

wow.   so that’s the secret.

glue will fill up what’s missing in my heart.

glue will give meaning to my life.

glue will calm my restless soul.

glue will bring peace to my chaos.

glue will give wholeness and purpose.

incredible.   and for only $9.95…

not. (how’s that for old school?) here’s a reminder.   there’s a difference between joy and happiness.   happiness is circumstantial.   happiness is all about changing the situation we find ourselves in.   happiness finds its definition in what is happening. happiness is a feeling that happens when good things…favorable things…pleasant things…come our way.

happiness is a feeling we chase with desperation.   happiness is our entitlement.   happiness is our treasured goal.

happiness is the fake prize.

joy,  on the other hand,  is not dependent on good things happening.   joy can be present in the most hopeless and miserable situations we find ourselves in.   joy is not produced by something external.   joy is not dependent on…well…anything.

joy is a state of mind and heart that transcends our circumstances.   joy is a fruit of the spirit.   it is a gift that is given to those who place their trust in a god who is bigger and greater than any condition we find ourselves in.  joy may produce a good feeling,  but it is not the feeling.   joy sits outside the parameters of the situations we find ourselves in.   joy is a frame of reference.

joy is both an outcome of our relationship with the lord and our source of strength for our obedience of him…and our resolve to go through any difficulty.   (john 15 and nehemiah 8:9)    joy is a word that gives definition to our confidence and our contentment and our determination.

glue cannot do that.

#happiness #joy