3MN: You can search for joy in only two places.
Happy 3-Minute Thursday!
💬 In the next 3 minutes:
- The only two places to search for joy.
- Why do we have delights in the physical world?
- A plug-and-say thought for your week.
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🎅 Minute 1 - You can search for joy in only two places.
We are Elf on the Shelf[ers]. Is that what you call people who scamper around the house in their underwear because they forget to move the elf before getting into bed?
Our little red spy goes by Alf, probably because my oldest was only one when he arrived last year and struggled with the "ee" sound. Luckily, he doesn't get too elaborate in his freeze frames—just the boring stuff, like crammed in a cabinet handle here or sitting on the other shelf over there. Simple. Harmless. Fun.
My boys are nothing but smiles when they wake up every morning, scouring the house for any sign from our northern scout. They always find him; they always laugh and point and tell everyone they meet. This is why Alf will move each night for many Decembers to come.
Each of us searches for joy somewhere because God has placed this quest in each of our hearts. It's found in simple things when we are kids but gets complicated as we get older. Why? Because joy is meant to drive us to God, but sadly, most people ignore him outright. When you look for joy where it cannot be found, you'll always end up empty.
😊 Minute 2 - The delights of the world were carefully crafted.
Pastor, author Paul Tripp (DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary),
The delights of the physical world were carefully crafted to point to the One who alone can give your heart eternal delight. God alone can bring the deepest of joy and contentment to your heart. He alone can give you a reason for getting up in the morning and a purpose for living. He alone can infuse your heart with hope, no matter what is happening around you.
3️⃣ Minute 3 - Plug and Say soundtrack for this week.
Could it be today that you fretfully search horizontally for what you have already been given in Christ? Will you try to drink from an empty well and wonder why you are still thirsty?
Take a moment to write down three things that bring you an immense amount of joy. Once you have those three things, plug them into the following soundtrack (repetitive thought) that you will say throughout the rest of the week:
Today, my quest for joy is complete. I have joy because God has given me _____, _____, and ______. Despite what happens today, my joy has already been made complete because of what Christ accomplished.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
VERSE OF THE WEEK 🔥
T A S T T, "D N B A; F B, I P T Y G N O G J T W B F A T P."
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." - Luke 2:10
Until next week,
Payton Minzenmayer
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