I've been thinking a lot lately about joy and what it means to live a joyful life.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of believing that certain jobs, situations, people, relationships, or things can bring us joy. And while they might bring temporary happiness, that’s not the same as real, lasting joy.
Joy and happiness aren’t the same thing. Happiness is fleeting—it comes and goes. But joy? Joy is eternal, a higher happiness if you will. C.S. Lewis said it best: “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”
The temporary things of this world won’t bring us true joy. I really believe that joy comes when we take the focus off ourselves and instead look outward—toward others and toward God. When we live with the intention to serve and see life through God’s eyes, we start to notice joy in the simple and in the humble.
If we look we will find that there’s joy in a mother’s eyes and joy in the flowers that bloom. Joy in the sunrise and joy in the rain. Joy in the temple and on its sacred grounds. There’s joy in the little moments.
If we go through life looking for ways to serve others and seeking God in the everyday, we’ll find joy. Real and lasting joy.