Hidden Joy

Not too long ago, there was a short story broadcasted on national news recognizing Officer Parker, a Texas police officer, as Officer of The Year. What brought his story national attention was not an incredible act of heroism as I may have expected.  

Rather, he was a school officer who directed traffic and maintained order at a small local school.  

It was his everyday attitude and extraordinary charisma that captivated everyone’s attention. He put on a goofy dance when he directed highway traffic outside and played tunes on his harmonica when hurrying kids in the school hallways. 

Officer Parker claimed he discovered the key to a happy life was directly connected to making others smile. He found strength in spreading joy to others.  

His story caught my attention because it only affirmed the message of Jesus.  

Naturally, we are deceived in believing that our joy is directly connected with the fulfillment of our desires. We fall into this vicious cycle and trap of constantly pursuing personal fullfillment and happiness. The Bible calls it “vanity”. We idolize and elevate “self”, which turns to be an endless, empty pursuit. 

We get stuck pursuing things we are assured will bring us joy, when joy is entirely hid elsewhere.

God cleverly hid true happiness in your relation to others. 

Ironically, true inner joy and fulfillment is directly connected to pursuing good for everyone other than “yourself”.  

Nothing to do with you.  

Christ beautifully modeled this in his relation to the Church.  

He left all to serve and give himself for the well being of you and me.

 

 

 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself... (Ro. 15:3 NIV)

 

 

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. 
—C.S. Lewis 

   

 

Supporting Text 

...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...(Heb. 12:2) 

 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,…(Phil. 2:6)