Completed Joy

DEVOTION 1 JOHN COMPLETED JOY 2 John 12-13 12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings. NIV Sometimes it is easier to write things then to stand face to face with someone and instruct them on how they should live. Sometimes it is far easier to read instructions as to how to live than to have someone standing face to face telling you. Sometimes there is somewhat of a disconnect or distance when writing that cannot happen in a personal one on one conversation. Even when a shepherd stands before his congregation a certain separation occurs due to the physical distance, the lighting, the elevated platform, the microphone and speakers and the inability of the listener to response. But when two people stand face to face and converse regarding the Word of God and how one should be living there is something extremely personal that happens. A sharing of thoughts and ideals which God delights in can have a profound impact on a person’s life. Should not we all be engaged in this type of joy? Why do we waste so much conversation about the weather, some sporting event, some movie star, or television program? Why do we insist on talking about meaningless dribble instead of speaking about how we should live in order to please God? Why do we gossip about others instead of talking directly to them about their potential error, having a face to face conversation with them? Why do we spend some much of our time talking about our own life, our own goals, ambitions, desires, likes and dislikes, is it that more interesting then God and how he wants us to live? Visiting one another talking about God, his ways, his desires for us, his goals for us, his instructions as to how we should live to please him could be a high priority for our life. As many letters as we have written by these men who were inspired to pen these words, I cannot help but think how many more hours they spent talking face to face with others about God and his provision for their salvation through Jesus Christ and how God intents for us all to live. It would appear this is the only way our joy will ever be complete.