Sunday, January 13, 2008

Joy Issues

I often complain about my job. I talk a lot about joy, love, and the gifts God has given me and yet have had trouble finding those things in my place of work.

I was having a conversation with a great friend of mine earlier today (technically yesterday) and we began to discuss joy and its origins. The Bible states that true joy comes from God alone. Joy is not a commodity that I can regulate, but rather something received. Therefore, in any situation I should have an everlasting joy from God.

So I grumble and complain about my job because I have to work late, because this and that. These matters should make no difference in my joy. Paul had joy, even when he was in prison, and God used him. Getting a new job is no solution to my self-proclaimed "joy issue", but simply allowing God to give me that joy and using the place he has put me in to serve him will put an end to my foolishness.

God has taught me something wonderful today.