When “many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him,” Jesus said to the Twelve. “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69).
If Peter were alive today, here’s what he may have thought in answer to Jesus’ question. When we process the object of our contemplation, and seek another way, another friend, another idea, another drug, or another meaning, they all come up short when compared to You. We can’t walk away from you, Jesus.Trying various options may give pleasure of temporary satisfaction, but they do not bring Joy. Sexual desires and satisfaction too do not bring Joy, but give pleasure.Enjoyment deals with a process and contemplation is focussed on an object. Jesus the Holy One of God, came into this world to connect with us in order to reconnect us to the life of God; the object of our Joy. When humanity walked away from God, our lives became engulfed by ignorance and guilt.
God, intervening, exhibited His amazing love and grace to restore broken relationship. Once we experience the life of God we are empowered to exhibit in our life-style the fruit of the Spirt; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). A single fruit with nine tastes. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces Christian virtues in the life of the follower of Christ.
God created this world and called it very good (Gen.1:31). Therefore, we should not only take care of our inner life but also take care of God’s creation as well. When we pursue God and do His will, we experience Joy which cannot be robbed. Is Jesus the object of your Joy?