The question I posed as I was handing out the “money” was “Are you more happy or less happy with an additional $100 in your pocket?” Or, are you unhappy you didn’t receive anything?

Of course the point is that happiness is largely dependent on external things (more money means more happiness, etc.) and joy is internal (not dependent on what happens).

And joy isn’t just the choice to be happy(ier)!

One of the greatest challenges Christians face is keeping the difference between joy and happiness in focus. Our joy is anchored in our identity in Christ – who is unchanging in every imaginable way.

Even things we don’t fully understand (or don’t like) don’t need to rob us of our joy.  We might not be happy about the negative situations (loss, sickness) or we may be happy about the positives (raise at work, more grandchildren, project going right) – but joy can remain the same day in and day out.

Now I don’t want to imply that in our humanness (even as Christ-followers) we don’t experience signs of sadness and unhappiness.  I’m just saying that our identity in Christ keeps us from sinking into despair.

Joy is constant even when we don’t feel it.

Stop by Union Chapel next Sunday.

We’ll be handing out new Dodge Chargers!

Mark