asbc seek devotionals 2025 2 - Flipbook - Page 52
Day 24: I Choose Joy
DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL | ALFRED STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
REV. DR. ROBERT “TY” JONES
“I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.”
– Philippians 4:11 CSB
Happiness appears to always be a moving target. Its metrics typically change based on my
current and varied circumstances. I would be happy if, *insert solution*. However, life
has proved that once I achieve said “solution”…the pursuit changes again. It lends itself to
a tiring cycle that leaves everyone who participates exhausted.
That’s why the pursuit of joy makes the most sense. Paul makes an outlandish claim, “for
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.” How is this even
possible? It almost seems as fraudulent as those individuals that confess, “I’m blessed and
highly favored” to every “How are you?”. Or, is Paul speaking to something else? What
if joy isn’t so much a feeling, but rather a state of being? A state of being that looks at
everything through the grace of God. The good and bad days, through the Grace of God.
Both sunshine and rain - through the Grace. In the original language, “joy” and “grace”
share the same root. They are in relationship with one another in that joy is the authentic
expression of life filtered through grace.
That is the “contentment” that Paul references. It doesn’t rid him of moments of
melancholy and sadness, but joy allows for an alternative state and approach every day.
You and I get to make the choice and I pray you will choose joy today…and every day.
JOURNAL REFLECTIONS
WHow can I discern the difference between
“happiness” and “joyful”?
What does it look like to live out
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“contentment” every day?
PRAYER
Lord, give us the grace to courageously access the joy
always available to us.
