Fullness of joy
Fellowship’s ours to enjoy
Keeping the Word deep in our hearts
It’s written so we can live
With fullness of joy
These are lyrics to a beautiful Way Productions song I often find myself humming when I’m keenly aware of the presence of God in my life. There is a satisfaction that runs deep because I know these words as a reality. But, it wasn’t always that way. There was a time when the one thing I was keenly aware of in my life was loneliness. There was a void, and nothing would fill it—not the love of family, not my relationships with friends, not my career, although I treasured all these things. What I had not developed in my life was a relationship with God.
Fullness of joy is the fruit of a rich, vital, and intimate relationship with God. Joy is an inside quality that is not dependent upon our surroundings or circumstances. It is dependent upon what Jesus Christ accomplished for us.
I John 1:3 and 4:
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
The word for “fellowship” in verse 3 is a word that indicates partnership, communication, and participation. There is fellowship in a two-way relationship where parties share in common interests and activities.
My dad loved music, all kinds of music. Classical, jazz, bluegrass—he loved it all. Every so often he would have me sit down to listen to a piece, and as the music was playing, he would paint mental pictures for me. If it was a majestic waltz, he would have me close my eyes and visualize the circus performers swinging on their trapezes high over my head. If a lively flute piece, he would help me imagine blue skies and green meadows scattered with bright yellow daffodils.
I learned so much during those times with my dad, and I realized what a great imagination he had. I am so thankful that he took time to include me in the activity he so much enjoyed and brought me right into his heart.
Recently, as I was at home dusting bookshelves, I took note of the number of books we own that have to do with relationships. There were books on marriage, parenting, teamwork, and more. These all help me gain different perspectives so that I can enjoy the relationships in my life to their full potential and enjoy the benefits of them.
True, vital, and intimate relationships don’t just happen. If a parent never communicated to a child, never assured that child of his or her love or interest in the child’s life, that relationship would never reach its potential nor benefit either party involved. In a marriage, if there is no communication or partnership, the husband and wife miss out on the beauty of that union. Friendships only happen when two individuals are interested in each other and take the time to share in common activities. All of these relationships take work to reach their full potential. Similarly, developing a true, vital, and intimate relationship with God doesn’t just happen without effort.
It is available for us as sons and daughters of God to have a relationship with our heavenly Father where there is communication and partnership. We can have a fellowship where God is involved in all our activities because we’re keenly aware of His presence in our lives. This kind of fellowship brings fullness of joy to our lives. We build this fellowship with God as we learn Who He is from His Word and walk in His ways. Let’s get to know a bit more about Him.
I John 1:5:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Here in this verse, we see that God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all. God is telling us a little bit about Himself. Light helps us to see clearly so that we can avoid stumbling around. Light provides an environment for health and growth. God is showing us a quality of His so that we can know Him. Many people miss this fundamental truth that God is light and in Him is no darkness. As a result, works of darkness have been attributed to the one true God when, in actuality, they should be laid at the feet of Satan, the god of this world. It is so important to know and understand the truth of the Word if we want to enjoy fellowship with the Father….
This is an excerpt from the May/June 2005 issue of The Way Magazine.
Copyright© 2005 by The Way International. All rights reserved.
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