What is so important to you that if you go days without doing it you start feeling depressed? For some people it’s earning money, having their favorite drink of alcohol, or receiving praise from other people. But the happiest life is having Jesus so central in our daily functioning that if we neglect to engage or serve him in some purposeful way then we feel empty.
One important way that I connect with the Lord Jesus is by writing this Soul Shepherding Devotional. When I write to you I’m also writing to me. I ask myself, “How have I experienced God’s presence recently? What is the Lord teaching me that might help others?” Writing in this way is a time of reflection and prayer for me. So when I don’t write devotionals — as I haven’t found time to do in the last two weeks! — then I start feeling flat.
15 years ago I started sending out these devotionals by e-mail to people who asked for them. Previously, I had been chasing a dream to be a best-selling Christian psychologist author. I gave that up. God wanted me to learn to write about life with Jesus for the pure joy of honoring him and blessing others. No fanfare. No royalties. Not trying to sell my stuff to people. Just Jesus.
“Freely you have received,” Jesus said, “freely give” (Matt. 10:8). Paul understood this as a life of “overflowing” with divine life (Rom. 15:13), like being a spiritual fountain that splashes blessings on other people!
Joy in Jesus as You Do What You’re Doing
There is no greater joy in life than to joy in Jesus! To love him, to live your life with him, to serve him by doing what you can to help others is the very best life — and the happiest life!
A crossing guard can joy in Jesus while helping children get safely to school.
A business executive can joy in Jesus by affirming co-workers, serving clients, and encouraging employees not to overwork and lose time with their families.
A pastor can joy in Jesus while teaching from the Bible, leading a meeting, or visiting someone in the hospital.
We all can be happy in Jesus while we work or while we wait in line at the grocery store. All we need to do is to pray silently or greet someone with a smile and a friendly word (click to tweet).
God may have gifted you for leading people, teaching, communicating, administrating, or solving problems. Or you may think, I don’t have a special gift to offer. That’s a sign that you have the best gift of all to offer: the humble heart of a servant. Our Heavenly Father has a special blessing for those who are merciful and kind to others — don’t diminish this! You too can joy in Jesus!
To Be Happy in Jesus Blesses People
The people around us need us to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil. 4:4) It’s true: to rejoice in the Lord is a ministry to others. (Read Philippians 4:5 which comes after the famous verse 4.) If we’re not happy in Jesus while we’re with people then they’re not likely to feel blessed by us. This is especially true for pastors, leaders, and caregivers in ministry!
Think about the times you’ve heard a somber sermon or read a boring book about the Christian life… I’ll bet that despite the wisdom that may have been offered it didn’t do much to encourage your life in Christ. That’s why Mother Theresa required that anyone who wanted to serve God with her by helping the poor in India be able to smile a cheerful blessing on the people they ministered to.
Freely giving away what God has put in your heart is the happiest life! And it’s essential training for effective leadership and caregiving in ministry.
