Jack County Cowboy Church

The physical is what we can connect to being human, and so God shares joys with his people through the temporal. But in the long run, he hopes we realize the bigger message beyond what can only satisfy us in temporary ways. He gives us little snippets, if you will, of what that joy can entail permanently, should we choose to live in joy and not just for fleeting joyful moments. Joy with God is what completes us. Even when we know complete joy in the Lord, it does not mean we will always appear happy to everyone. I, for instance, love to laugh and to make others laugh. Laughter helps people release stress, can break a tense moment, can help us get through the days that are most challenging. It doesn't mean that we, who enjoy laughter, find everything funny, and sometimes appropriateness must be considered. But there are also times that I do not feel like laughing. However, it does not mean I have lost my joy. Sure, there are some situations that can steal joy, even if only temporarily, yet for me, the place I always rest is in the joy of knowing I will always belong with the Father, no matter what happens in this life. Happiness comes and goes. Joy is everlasting. I'm so grateful for the joy of the Lord.