I
often wonder how so many people who don’t follow Jesus appear to be so happy
and all put together. They smile, laugh, have lots of nice things and are
genuinely friendly people. I understand that as a Christ Follower, I will face
adversity and challenges in my spiritual walk, but how come when I look at
someone who has heard about Jesus but chooses not to follow Him, they can seem to
have so much joy?
As
I read through some old notes from a church service several years ago, I read
something that helps me understand this “phenomenon.” The mere fact is that
their joy, those who aren’t following Jesus, is only temporary. Joy is not a
manufactured state of mind – it’s not available in a self-help book. It can
only be achieved through an intimate relationship with Christ. Anything else is
ONLY TEMPORARY.
Only those who accept what the Lord has
done for them and choose to follow can experience everlasting joy (the kind
that I want!). “Those the Lord has
rescued will return. They will enter Zion
with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and
joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Isaiah 51:11
