John 6:38-40 (NKJV) “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
In a world, especially here in the United States of America, where we have been given much, have so much to be thankful for and can do so many wondrous things, you’d think joy would flow abundantly from the hearts, minds and actions of the majority. Yet, as I allow myself to observe others more and more closely, I find joy to be a rather rare commodity. We have sooo much, so why?
Jesus Christ had so little in comparison. The disciples during and since Jesus’ earthly ministry, also had so little. Yet, as I read the words above, Jesus’ words throughout the gospel, the words from the disciples, there is joy, abundant, fervent, unending joy. So ask yourself, in a world where we can have and do so very much, why does it seem to be painfully lacking in joy?
I would contend that true joy is found in the execution of the purpose, our mission, for which we were created. Jesus’ joy was found in the perfect execution of His purpose. He knew why He had been sent, His mission and He joyfully fulfilled it. The disciples, despite the deprivations and persecutions, found joy in knowing their mission, recognizing their particular ministry and fulfilling it. Their joy, true joy, was not found in doing a thing, but rather found in executing God’s will in their life.
Each and everyone of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14), purposefully created and tasked for a mission, a ministry. Upon understanding what our ministries entail, God will equip us.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NKJV) Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
There is a saying, “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.” This phrase is not found in scripture but is certainly an accurate summation of a number of verses. However, if we are to be equipped, or use that which we have been equipped with, we must know our purpose, God’s will for our life, our ministry He has set for us.
To know this, you must know God’s heart. To know God is one thing. It is quite another to have a deeply committed relationship with Him. To realize true, unending, unabashed joy, the same joy as the disciples, Jesus’ joy, you have to fully pursue a deep, unwavering, intimate relationship with God. You must desire to know His heart, partner with Jesus, so that you can uncover His will for your life and aspire to the perfect fulfillment of His purpose. Your life’s value is found SOLELY in the fulfillment of that ministry. Your joy.
You have a mission, a ministry. Do you know what it is? Are you passionately pursuing a perfect execution of it? If not, why? Is the mission you’re pursuing yours or His? Have you asked? Have a blessed and JOYOUS weekend!
Romans 20:24 (NKJV) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
