Joy

In the 2007 movie The Bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in a hospital as roommates where they both learn they are terminally ill.

Nicholson is wealthy, but spoiled. Miserable. And soured on life. Freeman, however, is a middle class auto mechanic who can answer every question on the game show Jeopardy.

Following the news of his illness, Freeman spends the night writing a “bucket list,” things he wants to do before he “kicks the bucket.” The next morning Nicholson finds the crumpled list on the floor, and convinces Freeman to travel with him and do “the bucket list” together.

In one scene they are sitting on a mountain viewing the pyramids, Freeman tells Nicholson about his philosophy of life summed up in two questions. First, “have you found your joy?” And second, “has your life brought joy to someone else?”

On the eve of his death, Jesus told the apostles, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn 15:11).

Real joy. Lasting joy. Eternal joy. Is found in Jesus. It’s experienced in obeying His Word. Serving in the Kingdom. And fulfilling his purpose.

Have you found joy of Jesus? Has your life brought joy to another person?

–Ken Weliever, the Preacherman