For the Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” –Philippians 4:4, ESV
 
Sometimes, we say words we didn't intend to say or yell a little too loudly. Sometimes, the conversation doesn’t go where it should have gone. Sometimes, we don’t give 100% in training. Sometimes, we travel down the wrong path or make a choice that leads us further from God instead of closer to Him.
 
Our sinful nature, traced back and rooted in the will of Adam and Eve, hits us right in the face, and we fall hard. Rest assured: God gives us second chances. We all get re-dos and new beginnings.
 
In golf, a new beginning is called a mulligan. Whether it’s a new year or a new day, Christ gives us a chance to make all things new because all things are made new in Christ.
 
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” –Ezekiel 36:26, ESV
 
Our belief in Christ gives us a new heart and a new spirit. From the beginning of our walk with Him, He covers us with His grace and, as a result, bears fruit within us!
 
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” –Galatians 5:22-23, ESV
 

Instead of hate, where Jesus resides, there is love. 
Instead of defeat, where Jesus resides, there is joy. 
Instead of worry, where Jesus resides, there is peace. 
Instead of hurrying, where Jesus resides, there is patience. 
Instead of meanness, where Jesus resides, there is kindness. 
Instead of ugliness, where Jesus resides, there is goodness. 
Instead of cheating, where Jesus resides, there is faithfulness. 
Instead of harshness, where Jesus resides, there is gentleness.
Instead of chaos, where Jesus resides, there is self-control.
 
We need to know how to train because we have an adversary, and the world will come against us to stifle fruit growth. Crowds, noise and a fast-paced life keep coaches, athletes and coaches' spouses distracted. In that space, God meets us and helps us grow by creating an urgency to carve out time to cultivate the fruit.

The key is recognizing that we need to train both physically and spiritually to be stronger.
 
Daily training occurs when we read the Word, study the Word, worship, pray and learn from other believers.
 
Our training produces endurance. 
Endurance produces character. 
Character produces hope. 
Hope is where we find joy!
 
We look for joy in our family, friends and sports. 
Joy is not found there.
We try to find it in fun, thrill-seeking or relaxing beach escapes. 
Joy is not found there.
We look for joy in all the wrong places.
 
When joy is based on the consistency of our faith, we can have joy even when the outcome is not in our favor. Joy comes from the victory found in Jesus and the strength to play that comes from being one with Him. 
 

What about the joy set before you?

Where are you right now? What are you going through? Are you facing tough challenges? Please don’t throw in the towel. First, settle in your heart that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2) Whatever He is asking you to do, whatever trial you are experiencing, even the things you are striving for and reaching for today, He will see you through when He is in you. There is joy on the other side!

Faith allows our souls to trust, and trust allows our hearts to surrender. In the surrender, we find joy. 

When we reach the end of ourselves, we find Him–and then we learn He has been there the entire time, patiently waiting for us.
 
In His presence, fullness of joy is found, and joy may be found in all places because, in all places, He is fully present.
 
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” –Psalm 16:11, ESV
 
Joy is found in knowing you are loved, living fully for Him, and loving others. This is the joy that lasts.

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:19

Question: Where do you find your joy? Have you been lacking joy? How can you ask Jesus to revive your joy?

Challenge: Find a teammate who needs a little encouragement and give them something that will bring them joy. It could be a note, a kind word or the truth that Jesus loves them. 

CTA: Where does true joy lie? In a championship? In an end of season award? There is a deeper joy than accolades, and it comes from knowing Christ. Know more: The FOUR

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.