Looking for happiness

Looking for happiness

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15: 11

Last week while waiting for my wife I was looking at the books that are for sale in a fairly busy department store. The shelves were filled with books of self-improvement, questions of mystery and some spirituality. But it caught my attention to see some magazines with the 51 tips to be happy, or the tips to achieve happiness … it reminded me of a colleague I had in the newspaper who always greeted others with his phrase “what do you need to be happy?”.

And is that in some way or another, our intrinsic search for happiness is the engine that moves us. To save us the suspense Jesus comes and gives us the key; Just before his crucifixion, during the last supper with his disciples, Jesus speaks to them with an illustration of a vine. He is the vine and we are the branches. If we remain in Him we will have fullness of joy. But not any joy, HIS joy. Our text today says that our joy will be complete when its joy is in us. Not as something temporary and ephemeral, but as something permanent.

Paul emphasizes this teaching in Philippians 4: 4 Open with Logos Bible Software (if available) “Rejoice always in the Lord. I insist, rejoice! “(NIV). What is the source of joy? God.

If you are a branch united to Christ then you will have to bear fruit. And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. So do not look so far. God is closer than you think and his joy will fill your joy.