“In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important. The important things are living right with God, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”-Romans 14:17 (ICB)

 

Imagine that you receive a map of your life. When you unfold it, you see that you have a beautiful purpose. Your skills, talents, and ways to unlock your potential and how to forge supportive relationships are laid out in gold letters. As you follow the map, everything works out for good as you overcome every obstacle and challenge. And yet…there is still one thing you lack.

Joylessly, you go through motions. Your passion dies, despite having a clear knowledge of your purpose.

So what is purpose without joy?

Many people have expressed about how they would love to find their purpose in life.

Still, I have also seen people who have not yet discovered their purpose. They are on a journey, called life, and enjoying every single moment. They are not sure if they will ever find that purpose, or they might even have a vague idea and have no clue where it leads, but they have joy for life. This joy leads them to eagerly facing each new morning and they remain smiling even as the sun goes down and they prepare for the day’s rest.

Knowing your purpose is important, but having joy is important too.

I think this is what Paul meant, when he wrote: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 (NLT).

Why is joy so important? Because joy is intimately bound with hope. The reverse is also true – without hope, there is no joy! Having knowledge of your purpose is not, and will not ever be enough. There needs to be joy. Without joy, we will lack hope and the strength necessary to overcome days when we don’t seem to be making any progress anywhere. A joyless life is a purpose defeated.

May you discover the complete kind of joy and peace from God. May you trust in Him, and may you overflow in confident hope that comes only from the Holy Spirit!

“Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”-Hebrews 12:2 NIRV