Christmas: that time of year we sing about joy and peace. But how can we go beyond singing about it and actually experience it? The answer is finding God. For 300 years, Enoch walked with God. Can you imagine how well we’d know God after spending all those years with Him? There’s nothing dull or boring about walking with God. The psalmist says, ‘You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence’ (Psalm 16:11 NIV). God made us for Himself, and only when we discover His purpose for our lives will we find peace and joy. If you were to take a fish out of the ocean and place it on the beach, you’d see its scales dry up as it gasped for breath. Is that fish happy? No. If you covered it with a mountain of cash would it be happy? No. Would a good book and a cool drink make it happy? No. Would a new wardrobe? No. Only one thing will make it happy: putting it back in the water. That fish will never be happy on the beach because it wasn’t made for the beach. It was made for the ocean. In the same way we were made for fellowship with God. We’ll always feel like a fish out of water – never knowing peace and joy – until we find Him. Once you ask Him into your heart, you’ll never feel empty again. Do you know why Jesus came that first Christmas? ‘So that [you] may have the full measure of my joy within’ (John 17:13 NIV).
What now?
Do you know anyone who isn’t feeling happy this Christmas? Pray that they would experience some of the joy and peace that comes from God, and that they would want more of it.