"Full Joy"

August 10, 2003 Cheryl Allen (34:10)
Is there enough joy in your life? I mean the kind of joy that stays with you in good times and bad. Psalm 16 gives us the Biblical formula for finding lasting joy. It is only in God’s presence that fullness of joy can be found. In this photo of Erin, leaping into her daddy’s arms, we see the fullness of joy that comes from absolute trust in another. Erin and her daddy, Joe, are utterly committed to one another. That commitment makes their relationship safe and joyful. Joyful relationships with our children, our spouses and our God all grow out of the safety that we feel in fully committed relationships. The kind of commitment that we need in our most important relationships is the commitment that comes from the elimination all other options. In the Ten Commandments, God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” As Christians we are commanded to eliminate all other options of faith. 1Kings 8:60-61 “The Lord is God and there is no other. But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God…” Joy in marriage also requires the safety that comes from complete commitment to a full lifetime together. If one or both of the people in the marriage is holding on to the option of affairs or divorce – then there is no freedom to have joy in your relationship. Husbands, love your wife as Jesus loved the church. Live by the same promise that Jesus gave his church when he said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Wives, commit to being his helper as Genesis reveals God designed you to be. In practical terms, commitment that counts means – eliminate all other options. Only then are you and the people around you free to experience true JOY.