Learning to be Joyful

In a place like America we have so much stuff. Material things flood our daily lives and are on our minds. We've made this mistake of trying to be joyful with what we see have in this earthly kingdom. Nothing will truly bring us joy and celebration but the Lord and I know it sounds a bit odd... but obedience to him will bring us abundant reason to celebrate!

Depression is the epidemic here. And I can't help but think that it is because we are selfish and/or trying to fill our voids with education, earthly relationships, sports, and material possessions. We say we're christians... but then act like the world. We even view celebration in the same light at times. "The carefree spirit of joyous festivity is absent in contemporary society. Apathy, even melancholy, dominates the times."

"Joy is found in obedience." I thought it sounded odd when I first heard it too. I've been reading Celebrations of Discipline for my Bible class and the last chapter/discipline is celebration and it mentions this idea of joy and reason for celebration being found in obedience. While it didn't make sense to me at first, it's starting to now. If we would listen and obey the Lord and his will for our lives, we will have overflowing joy. His will is perfect and by obeying him we will be blessed and have reason for life.

"Often we try to pump up people with joy when in reality nothing has happened in their lives. God has not broken into the routine experiences of their daily existence. Celebration comes when the common ventures of life are redeemed."


I have quite a few friends right now who are unmotivated, depressed, and searching for joy. I'm struggling with having patience with them, I want to shake them and tell them how blessed they are and if they'd only focus on the Lord their cup would overflow. What is crazy about that is I was just there last year. I was not joyful my freshman year of college. I allowed the struggles of a changing life get me down. I know what it is like so I should be able to have patience because I can relate, right? I don't know what it is. Perhaps I need to knock down some walls of pride.

Let's learn to celebrate together. :) I think it will take some a community effort.