mybabyr0c: Joy vs. Happiness

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Joy vs. Happiness

Keen: finely sharpened, as an edge; so shaped as to cut or pierce substances readily: a keen razor. Sharp, piercing, or biting: a keen wind; keen satire. Characterized by strength and distinctness of perception; extremely sensitive or responsive: keen eyes; keen ears.

"I bring you good tidings of great joy."

-Luke 2:10

Contentment and joy often go hand in hand... and hand, and hand...

Many a thing does provide happiness.

Trips to foreign destinations, material wealth and the bliss of a new romantic love all qualify for providing happiness in one's life. There are times of parental pride, positive performance reviews and financial gain that can make many people wonder aloud; "Is there anything better than this?"

I say yes there is, yes there is something, someone that is better than any temporary happiness we might enjoy on this earth.

Webster defines happiness as; "delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing."

Happiness is a good thing.

On the other hand joy is defined as; "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation."

I love the word keen; it's so specific and descriptive.

I mentioned earlier that "many a thing does provide happiness"; true, but I would add that the many things that can, and do, bring about happiness aren't long lasting and can't provide complete satisfaction.

And as much as I love my Wife, my children, my family and the fact that one of my older boys tweeted this evening; "Great Christmas Eve with the family", with all that, there is no one thing, nothing, that can provide the deep reservoir of satisfaction and pure joy; keen pleasure, that having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can.

"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

-Luke 15:7

I have found nothing that compares to the peace, hope, love and JOY one experiences with acknowledging, accepting and answering His will for one's life.

Nothing.

Enjoy your Christmas, embrace your family and take a moment and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago.

Tomorrow is His birthday.

Give Him the present of quiet reflection and the gift of your heart.

Nothing can provide the same delight or happiness; nothing is more exceptionally good or satisfying. Keen pleasure and pure elation awaits all that would say yes to His perfect presence in your life.

Say yes to joy; say yes to Jesus Christ.