WE WERE CREATED FOR JOY!
It’s true, friends. From the beginning of Genesis, God created us to be fully satisfied in Him through the fruitful life of the garden mandate. We were literally created to dwell with God, to work alongside Him, and to walk confidently in the love, purpose and identity He lavished upon us. But when sin entered the world, that unity and satisfaction in the triune God was challenged. In a single moment, Adam and Eve were faced with the thought that a greater joy might exist outside of their fellowship with God. They bit into that idea (literally and figuratively) which led all of humanity thereafter to battle daily with the same challenging question; where can I find lasting joy?
Now, what is the true definition of joy?
How can we obtain it?
First, we must understand that our world focuses in on the concept of “happiness”. Everyone is seeking to be happy. But happiness is based on momentary pleasure which is fleeting and only here for a few breaths. Joy, however, is based on deeply rooted satisfaction that presses beyond the moment. This is what God desires for us! Joy is based upon eternal truths where happiness is based on whatever high you feel in a single moment or day.
When Adam and Eve questioned God’s intentions and purposes, they were left naked, ashamed and realizing that the joy that came so naturally before the fall was now something that had to be fiercely pursued with Gods divine help. Because of this, we too are faced every day with the same choice; to either choose the things that bring on fleeting momentary pleasure or the things that cultivate lasting, eternal, purposeful life.
Now, here is the good news…WE ACTUALLY HAVE A CHOICE!
Sin entering the world didn’t negate God’s plans and purposes for us. We are STILL made to dwell with God, to work alongside Him, and to walk confidently in the love, purpose and identity He lavished upon us. By God’s grace and through Jesus, this is a life we can CHOOSE – and we can do so with JOY!
We wake up every day to a world that tells us we need more money, a better house, the newest technology, and a perfect appeal to society. But no matter what our social media feeds tell us, not every day is filled with exemplary work days, perfectly behaved children and selfies on the beach. Some days can drain every last ounce of our being.
But we do not live as people who have no hope [1 Thess. 4:13]. We have been given more than enough reason to see beyond the hardships, the trials, the sink full of dishes, the tantrums, and the rocky marital moments. We have hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus! And through His great love for us, not only have we been redeemed FROM sin, but we have been redeemed INTO a life of joy and abundance in Him.
So, how do we obtain true joy? By resting in the truth that our life is not rooted in this moment but is rooted in the founder and perfecter of our faith; Jesus! Joyfully Rooted Podcast is about building up and encouraging women everywhere to see life through eternal eyes. The world will pass away with its desires and troubles [1 John 2:17], but He remains steadfast. In a life with many changing seasons, let us choose to be rooted in the One who will always remain the same. Today, tomorrow, and for eternity.
“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Colossians 2:6-7 CSB
In Christ,
Rebecca Garoffolo
REBECCA GAROFFOLO 