Yeah, I'm taking an effective old slogan and milking it for all it's worth (see what I did there?) ...
If you struggle some days with finding joy in life, let me suggest you might find the Apostle John's words of some help. In his first epistle, he clearly states that joy is a main purpose for his writing (1 Jn 1:4). I see in his first four verses that joy comes from true fellowship with God and with his church.
How does one come to this fellowship that brings joy? Through revelation and declaration. Revelation of life through Jesus Christ is the source of joy. No one will have true joy unless Christ is revealed to him or her. All of the poor substitutes that life (and the devil) offers are mere idols that bring no lasting joy. But when the real Person of Jesus Christ is revealed to someone - that's when real joy is possible!
John goes on to explain the apostles' role of declaring to others this Jesus who has been revealed to them. This privilege of declaration is currently the mandate of the Church. We declare Christ, the Eternal Son, the Word of Life, the Creator, who was born into flesh and blood humanity, and into actual history. We declare the fellowship, the union with God Himself, that Jesus provides for all who believe His word and trust in his provision for sin's payment. This act of declaration fulfills - John says "complete(s)" - the Christian's joy.
The revelation of Christ to us, and our declaration of Christ to others - these things provide us with true joy as we are brought into fellowship with God. And as our witness is used by God to draw others into that fellowship, our joy is increased until its completion.
John goes on to establish healthy practices (e.g., confessing sin, discerning the enemy, and loving each other) that help us continue in our joy. But at its core, we find our joy in fellowship with God through the revelation and declaration of Christ.
Got joy?
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