Future Joy

Future Joy

Those two words were on my mind in the wee hours one morning last week. Why? I don't know. Most mornings as I begin to stir I ask God what my day might look like. I already knew that day....or so I thought..... it was the day before retreat. It's always a busy one....filled with many tasks, packing, last minute unpredictable "stuff". Each "day before" has held some kind of "frenzy". I expected it! But FUTURE JOY? What had God already set in motion? What was this future joy? How exciting! The very thought stirred eager anticipation in my heart. I couldn't help but think of these scripture verses. Jesus thought about future joy. It was his existence. He knew that that is why he LIVED. He lived for the joy set before him. He endured for it!!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1‭-‬3

FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM...... FUTURE JOY!!

I began to ask myself: When might I experience this future joy and what might it look like? Is it tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Is it when my schedule slows down? When I check things off my massive to-do list? Is it when my mom finally gets settled? Is it when I lose those pesky 50lbs? When I create healthier habits? Pay off some bills? All of the above? None of the above?

Oh....I know the right answer.....the proper answer. There is nothing on this earth that can set your mind in proper perspective. For whatever reason, striving, in my own strength, for the wrong things or circumstances is, I would guess, a pretty common response. In other words, I'm not alone. But there is no comfort in knowing others are in the same boat. Is it comforting to know other's have suffered loss therefore, at least I'm not alone? No. I remember a young woman who was dying of cancer. I said to her, "I'm so sorry this is happening to you?" She said...and I'll never forget it ...."If not me, than who?" We don't wish others to suffer so we're not alone in our circumstances. It really is of zero comfort. Yes, there's a camaraderie a commonality, a bearing of one another's burdens, a listening ear, a warm hug, a text, a phone call.....this is the body of Christ...the unity of the Spirit and it's BEAUTIFUL and it's RIGHT and it's LOVELY.......but not once would you ever wish someone else to be afflicted.....ever.....

The retreat was amazing! Time away from the business of the world. Quiet..... peace..... fellowship.....a common purpose. ..to glorify our God. There is nothing more we should desire than a deep, personal relationship with our Creator. Was this the future joy? Indeed joy was alive and moving about. But was this joy the future joy God was talking about that morning?

I thought about those verses.....Jesus was going to endure the cross...yet, he set his eyes on his Father. He set his eyes on his future joy. His joy was returning to his Father's right hand. His future joy was not the relief of his suffering or a desire to be popular, or handsome or successful or wealthy. NO! His future joy WAS his Father in eternity! It is no different for me, a follower of Christ. MY future joy is sitting at his feet for eternity. Joy on earth, if tied to our circumstances, will be fleeting....it will never last for this world is always changing. Sometimes the change happens so slowly you barely realize it and sometimes it's so abrupt it rocks everything you ever thought you knew.

In this world you WILL have trouble....you will have busy schedules, you will deal with prickly people, you will experience many disappointments......and sorrow and suffering cannot be avoided......and God's Word is not silent on these things. In fact, he has told us beforehand that we would not be surprised.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20

Oh.....I might have missed that ...not really.....

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18

When I became a follower of Christ the veil was removed from my eyes. I KNOW! I can no longer NOT see. I am being transformed day by day into his likeness.

For the joy set before me, that future joy, I endure the cross, just like Christ. I am to pick it up DAILY and carry it. My future joy is the same future joy for which Christ endured! I can enjoy momentary joy day to day but it's always temporary......always..... circumstances will always change and upset the delicate balance....but if I can set my sight on future joy, knowing 100% it's forever.....knowing it will never perish and never fade I can actually experience joy right now, every single moment of every single day. Deep abiding joy now, despite our circumstances, is a beautiful thing though it cannot compare to the future joy of walking with Jesus.

Future joy! I can, daily, with excited anticipation, live for THAT day regardless of life's circumstances. Praise God!

Be blessed today!