Sometimes where we look for joy is almost like 2 different paths: We have to choose and can’t go for both at the same time. The signs and the trail markers made it easy to know which way to go while we were hiking, and the Bible makes it clear which way we should go for true joy.
Luke 10:20 says, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
That was some amazing stuff those people got to do through God’s power. But it was still their relationship with Jesus that mattered most.
One quote I love repeating (especially to myself) is “There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there’s nothing we can do to make God love us less.”
That means we get to obey and serve God out of love not just fear or obligation.
And that means our joy is based on Him and who we are in Him, not on how successful we’ve been this week.