Where joy and pleasure reside - A reflection (Psalm 16:11)

A mission with origins traced in brokenness. 

Missing! Have you seen joy and pleasure? 

We have seen signs and promises of rewards for those who find them. We have made several stops along our journey to find them. We have searched and labored with our might and strength. We have searched above, below, beyond and near. 

Missing! Have you seen joy and pleasure?

We look for them in what we see around us. The colours painted by the sunset and the dancing of the stars give us tiny moments with them. The cool rain on a summer’s day drop hints of them. The shade provided by majestic trees and the lively scent of flowers have our hearts believe our search has ended. 

Missing! Have you seen joy and pleasure? 

We congregate in our search for them. In appearances and fashion and health we have sought after them. Intelligence, knowledge, and success have disguised themselves as the prizes of our search. In the eyes and hearts of friends, family, strangers, and lovers we have often found traces of them. We have searched within ourselves hoping to not be weighed down and distracted by others. Our dreams and ambitions have promised to take us to them and we have gone on the journey gladly and hopefully. 

Yet with every search, disguise, trace, hope, hint and tiny moment, we still see signs that read:

‘Missing!’

These are not enough. 

Where can we find them in their fullness and longevity? If they are not full and lasting in the love found in our relationships, the honor in our success, the beauty of our faces, the confidant within ourselves, where are they? Although we labor with all our might, our strength never seems to provide us with what we are in search of. 

The Word of God shouts of the wrong directions we have taken. It points to us a different map, one that leads to full and lasting finds. It points us to the place where joy and pleasure reside and promises to give them to us in their fullness and for eternity. It promises much more than just a glimpse, trace, hint or tiny moment. It promises us joy in its fullness and pleasures everlasting in a Person, not ourselves, not others, not creation. It is as the right hand of Jesus, it is with him, in his presence that our search comes to an end. It is with him that our souls rest and our reward is given. The search for joy and pleasure in anything or anyone else leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction. It does nothing more than prolong our mission as it continuously leaves us wanting for more. 

Are you tired of searching? Do you want more than a disguise and hint? Do you want joy in its fullness and pleasure that never ends? 

Search no more in vain. Hope no more in what is empty and dissatisfies. 

Go to Him with whom pleasure and joy reside in their fullness and entirety. 

Go to Jesus.