Preventing Joy Robbers

“Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NLT).

One of the most common statements I hear sounds something like this, “I’m exhausted and don’t feel like I have time to do what I know God wants me to do.” Do you feel that way today? When our work for God is not worshipping God, it becomes nothing more than a J-O-B, which results in no J-O-Y!

No illustrative stories today, as I just feel impressed to share with you some keys to preventing joy robbers in your life. Following Christ is an adventure and filled with excitement, yet many Christians walk around looking as if they’ve been sucking on a persimmon! Allow me to present some sobering statistics to substantiate the fact that many lack joy.

Depending on what study you read, anywhere from 50-80% of Christians will stop serving the Lord with enthusiasm and excitement within 5 years. And while one half of churches nationwide gain new families each year, the other half loses about the same number of people. In 2010, according to one study, more than two-thirds of church goers described their lives as “unfulfilling and boring” especially as it relates to their service to Christ and His church.

What does this say to me? Joy is being robbed and many are disconnecting. Let me first say, if you are in a church where you are not being challenged by God’s Word, motivated toward personal ministry, and where there is no passion for vision, you need a change of scenery! On the other hand, if you are in a church where you are being challenged by God’s Word, motivated toward personal ministry, and where there is passion for vision, but you don’t want anything to do with that because you like things the way they used to be or don’t see the need for change, the solution for that is the same – you need a change of scenery, and the scenery in that church will become brighter when you exit stage left. If that offends you, take it up with God, because He plainly tells us if we aren’t growing we’re dying, if we aren’t reaching others we’re sinning, and if we have no vision we’re racing toward a miserable existence and destruction.

Secondly, I believe there are some keys to preventing joy robbers. These keys will allow you to do well with that which God has given you, and your work, planning, knowledge, and wisdom will live on after you’re gone. That is legacy, and as Believers we should leave one that motivates others to press on toward the prize. Here are the keys to having joy in serving God.

Key #1: Less is More. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you must be involved in everything. Most people start in personal ministry with good intentions. Over time, more responsibility is accepted until there’s no time to devote fully to anything. One can be involved in so many different ministries they ensure none of their ministries are quality. It’s better to do a few things WELL, than to do a lot of things that don’t scratch the surface. Less is more and it will kindle joy.

Key #2: Don’t Get Sidetracked by Difficult People.  OK, if you are normal, as soon as you read this key, someone “popped into your mind” didn’t they? There are people in every church that talk a good talk, and think they are “super saints” and then quickly try to tear down anything anyone else wants to do. If you focus on such folks, you’ll soon be spending a great deal of time justifying what God has instructed you to do to people who are misaligned and have never spent any time considering God’s plan over their personal agenda. It’s time to quit coddling some folks and move on! Love them, pray for them, but disregard the negative vomit they insist on spewing in your lap! Don’t get sidetracked by difficult people or sucked into their den of poison. If they want to always mention how good it is over at “so and so church” offer them ride over there and then move on with what God has birthed in you where you are. The result; JOY in serving, and FREEDOM in worship.

Key #3: Be Proactive Not Reactive.  It is imperative that you have a clearly defined goal, clearly developed vision, and a long term strategy in place. God will give you all three if you ask Him! Without them, you will wonder around the mountain of God for years and feel like you’ve done nothing but gone in circles – because that will be all you’ve done. Goals, vision, and strategy are the not just the destination, they are the road. Without them, it doesn’t matter what road you take because you have no idea where you’re going. If you have no idea where you’re going, well, any road will be just fine. Be proactive; plan, and move as God guides. Don’t hesitate when He says “go.” With no sense of direction comes frustration, fatigue, and you guessed it, no joy.

Prevent the joy robbers. Your life is too important and what God wants you to do has eternal consequences. There’s not enough time to be involved in everything, you don’t have enough energy to continually deal with the same “negative Nelly”,  or “poor mouth Pete” and no one has accomplished much in life by merely reacting to every situation rather than having a plan. Get with it – simplify and you’ll be amazed what God will do with you. Do well and you’ll hear “well done.”

Pray with Me:

God, you’ve blessed me with opportunities to serve you and I’m committing to joyfully serve. Thank you for vision, goals, and preparation. I dedicate myself to pursuing that which you are passionate about and will not be deterred in that pursuit. Joy is mine, because you are mine, and I shall follow you and leave behind all that tries to drag me off course. Amen.