Settle for Nothing Less
Jesus was the very first Christmas gift. He was a gift that had such an impact on the shepherds that they felt compelled to spread the joyful news to everyone they met after encountering Him. The gift of the Messiah was a lasting hope and joy that those shepherds couldn’t keep to themselves.
Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving, but do we know what hope and joy like that can mean for us? Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).
We’ve all tasted hope and experienced joy, but how many of us can say our joy is complete? True joy, complete joy, begins the way it started for the shepherds. It begins with meeting Jesus. Few things last forever, but an encounter with Jesus remains and grows throughout all eternity.
So how do we start? We haven’t had an angelic encounter or seen the Son of God in a manger. According to the Bible, we start by walking in hope with a mindset for living that arises out of what Jesus did at Christmas and the salvation He offered on the cross. In Philippians 4:4–5 the apostle Paul says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
One of the most important parts of walking in hope and joy is simply choosing to rejoice in everything! Much of the joy and rejoicing in the Bible isn’t really connected to circumstances. It’s connected to a decision. In fact, one of the keys to a life of joy is being able to rejoice even when the circumstances are disappointing or painful.
When you think about it, the gift of eternal life should be more than enough to cause us to rejoice every single day. But eternal life and salvation are about more than merely going to heaven. Salvation means we’re God’s child. Salvation means we’re part of God’s family. And being God’s child means being constantly on His mind and having Him involved and working in every part of our lives.
Our joy is stolen when we forget the shepherds’ secret: the Savior has come! In Him, we’re saved. In Him we win! The amazing thing is, no matter what happens, that can never be taken away from us.
Jesus tells us, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So, let’s live like we’re free. Let’s live like we’re loved. Let’s live like we’re saved.
Each moment is a chance to live out our praises to our amazing King and rejoice. Each and every moment is an opportunity to overflow with joy! So, rejoice in the Lord! Claim your joy! Settle for nothing less.