Joy—a feeling of great pleasure and happiness
Everlasting—lasting forever or for a very long time
If we are honest, it’s exactly what we are all looking for in life.
In our careers our hobbies and relationships we search relentlessly for a joy that will subside all of our fears and failures even if for only a moment. This is why we work, study and play diligently, always willing to take that extra step to hopefully fulfill everlasting joy.
I have only been on the Race for 2 months yet I have discovered this “search for joy” to be evident in each country. No matter what chapter of life you are currently writing; no matter which ethnicity you were born; no matter what culture you are submerged into by default. There is always emptiness—a void—and no matter what you attempt to fill it with, it cannot be completely satisfied.
This struggle triggers people to try anything and everything. This persistent pursuit of happiness often destroys families, careers and so much more. Maybe this new job will bring me Joy. Maybe this new car or house will bring Joy. Maybe a child will bring Joy. Maybe this drug or drink will bring Joy.
Only the Fulfiller can fulfill this everlasting Joy. It may sound cliché or too good to be true but Yeshua the Christ came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. (Matthew 5:17) Humanity as a whole never has nor ever will be able to keep the commandments given to us by God. No matter how valiant the effort we will always at some point fall short and screw up. Christ came to bridge the gap. He came that we might have life and live it abundantly. (John 10:10) It is in Him that we find joy unspeakable that lasts for eternity. (1 Peter 1:8) He came and did what we could not. He paid the price and declared, “It is finished”!
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” The joy we earnestly long for, the void we relentlessly attempt to fill is found in one Man, in one place…. GRACE…. and it is through our simple child-like faith that the Fulfiller can completely fulfill our lives.
In Christ…
My Tears become Laughter
My Fear becomes Faithfulness
My Confusion becomes Clarity
My Pain becomes Peace
My Sorrow becomes Relief
My Bitterness becomes Compassion
My Sin becomes Atonement
My Hate becomes Love
My Joy becomes EverLasting
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, allthings have becomenew.
2 Corinthians 5:17
