I enjoy golf, but I enjoy it much more when I am playing a round of golf with a friend. Having the companionship of a friend on the golf course changes everything for me. When I hit a good shot or make a long putt, I find it more enjoyable when a friend shares the moment with me (even the bad shots are easier to endure when a friend shares your pain.)
What do you enjoy? How about a day at the beach or a hike in the mountains? Do you want to multiply your joy? Spend that day with someone you love.
When I was a boy, my dad would take me to visit Palm Springs. I remember enjoying so many things about Palm Springs, not only because I liked the desert, but because I loved being with my dad in the desert. It was my deep enjoyment of being with him that made Palm Springs so enjoyable for me.
The Bible tells us that God has given us richly all things to enjoy (I Timothy 6:17), yet the joy He has for us goes even deeper. He not only wants us to enjoy the things He gives us, but He wants us to experience joy in its fullest measure (John 15:11.) To have the blessings God gives brings enjoyment, but to have God Himself, brings more than enjoyment, it brings fullness of joy. Fullness of joy means having His presence in the midst of all the blessings He gives.
Sharing a meal with a close friend brings great enjoyment, having Jesus sup with you brings fullness of joy; having a cooling wind blow across your face on a warm summer’s day brings enjoyment, to have the refreshing wind of the Holy Spirit move upon your heart brings fullness of joy; walking through a flower garden brings enjoyment, to walk through a flower garden with the One who created the flowers, brings fullness of joy; to relax by a quiet flowing stream brings enjoyment, to be joined to the restful yoke of Jesus Christ brings fullness of joy. It is as though God is saying to us, “The joys that come from the blessings I give you can only go so far, for they are from Me, but they are not Me. I want you to enjoy what I give you, but even more, I want you to have Me—My life, My love, My presence. It is with Me, in Me, and from Me alone that you will know the fullness of joy I want you to have.”
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV
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