Life (2): Where in the world can I find joy?

I have been blessed growing up in Australia. We (those who live in Australia) enjoy freedom of choice in many areas of life; these include choosing where we will work and live, we enjoy plenty of food and drink, we are able to practice public worship without severe persecution and we enjoy plenty of support from the government. We have everything at our fingertips – clothing, restaurants and recreational activities.

With all these luxuries at our doorstep, you would think that the general emotional landscape of the population would be pretty good. However, according to the statistics, depression in adults is doubling, and even more alarming is the rate of childhood depression, which has risen by 23% (statistcs provided by McGraw-Hill, 2004). We have everything, then why are we so depressed?


A culture left wanting

Built into our culture is this inherent desire to acquire more possessions. The common wisdom in our society is the belief that if we only had more stuff, then we would be happier. But is this true? Currently, the Australian economy is stronger ever, on average people are wealthier, own more property and have a greater access to the basic needs like health care, food and water, clothing and education. You must conclude that Australians are well off, yet are unhappier than ever. Statistics express that every Australian will, at some point in their life, experience depression. So, is more stuff and the pursuit of happiness the answer to our well being? I really don’t think so if you consider the statistics!

Our ultimate need

Jesus, the creator, saviour and king of the universe makes this huge call (Note: if you read this bible passage out of context, you will be really confused). Jesus in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 14:26-27) explains:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Previous to this passage in Luke 14, Jesus, after jarring the Jewish religious elite, had taught the lawyers, Pharisees and his disciples that God desires for us to show mercy, compassion and love to our fellow man. He then injects verses 26 and 27 into the equation (above passage). What is he saying? Has Jesus gone mad? One minute he says love and then the next he says hate- what’s going on? Jesus is addressing a huge issue within the human condition – the heart! Our problem is our heart – the soul.

We all have this yearning inside of us to make something ultimate in our life, or as some would say, to worship something. Some of us make sport ultimate; others make their kids or family, while others make their jobs ultimate or central to their well being. Jesus teaches that we must make him ultimate in our life. In the Luke passage (Luke 14:26-27), he is not promoting that we hate other people, but rather that we will worship him as the one true God. Doing this may be embarrassing as those around you may not agree with you belief in Jesus (Luke14:27). But, Jesus goal in life is to bring us real and fulfilling joy, which comes through a relationship with him.

Consider this

I guess what we need to ask ourselves is, firstly, do you have a relationship with Jesus? Secondly, have you laid you whole life down before him? Are there things holding you back from Jesus? The pursuit of possessions will only bring us momentary happiness, but a life fixed on and centred around Jesus, as our saviour and king, will bring us full and complete joy. Family, leisure, sport, steak and wine are all amazing gifts from God for us to enjoy. A fulfilling life and the experience of true joy will only be had if we bring our sin and rebellion before Jesus and let him take control of our lives (Luke 14:33).

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1:4)