Imagine if you were responsible for something and you didn’t know it?  It’s hard to imagine. Yet it’s true. There is something you are responsible for, although you may not think about it much.

You’re responsible for the way you live your life.

At this moment, the state lottery payout is approaching 1 billion dollars!  The question is, what would you do with that kind of money. At the end of the day, God would hold you responsible for how you handled it.

You were responsible for getting good grades.  Chances are your present level of happiness is a result of the decisions you made.

You were responsible to be a good spouse when you stood at the altar.

You were responsible when you decided to have children.

The challenge is that responsibilities tend to increase as we live rather than decrease.

One word.  Grandchildren.  You thought you were done being responsible after your own children were raised.  Wrong.

Retirement.  You think it will eliminate your responsibilities.  Wrong.

What would you do if you wanted someone to be aware of their responsibilities?  In most cases, you would tell them what is expected of them.

However, that’s what we do all the time.  That allows us to avoid difficult conversations.  It allows us to remain likeable. It saves us a lot of time and energy.

In Psalm 100 he gives us 8 commands.  What if I told you that how you respond to them determines everything about your level of joy?

The reason is they have to do with more than just your actions.  They have to do with your attitude.

Attitude determines latitude.

Soaring with the eagles is a lifelong journey.

If you want to feel better, act better.

It takes practice.  Yet we live in a world where many people think things should just fall into our laps.

Not only does God command us, he commands us regardless of what are circumstances are.  No matter how rich or poor we are, God expects us to obey his commands. No matter what are finances look like, God expects us to listen to him.  Regardless of our health, God expects us to serve Him.

The question is “why’?  Why would God expect us to have the right attitude?  Why would God expect us to have the right attitude when it seems like everything around us is falling apart?  Why would God expect us to serve others joyfully, especially if we are going through financial difficulties?

Our faith shouldn’t be based on our feelings.

Feelings change just like the weather.  You can feel sunny one minute and partly cloudy the next.  Feelings change, but your attitude should not.

If you want to be joyful tomorrow, you have to start with being joyful today.  Not when you feel like it.

Psalm 100 says:

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the LORD Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

Why should we shout for joy, serve the LORD with gladness, come before Him with joyful singing and know Him as God.  The answer is in verse 3: because he made us and those are the things He designed us to do! Just as a Ford Mustang is designed to go fast, we were designed for so much more.  We were made to thrive and flourish because of what God has done for us.

And we have an intimate invitation to draw near to Him in all that we do.  He wants to spend time with us. Not just on Sunday or once a year at Christmas or Easter.  God wants to walk with us.

The good news is that the more we get to know Him, the more we’ll act like Him.

Imagine what it would be like to…

Dump the garbage for God,

Raise a disobedient child,

Care for a sick loved one,

Love an obnoxious co-worker,

Work for a selfish boss…

In the imperfect world, the chances are that you will have to do some or all of these things.  As you do, you and only you will have the power to make the best of each situation. You can look at them as unpleasant experiences or opportunities to serve God.  The choice is yours…and mine.

What if today, you decided to whistle while you work?   

What if you decided to begin serving God with joy and laughter regardless of your circumstances.

You can!

Don’t wait to be full of joy, be full of joy today.  Right now. Wherever you are.

You’re responsible for your own joy.  Life is sometimes difficult, but when we choose to mope, we make it more difficult than it should be.  If you want to feel better, act better. Don’t trust your feelings, walk by faith. Your feelings will change, your faith should grow.  God designed us for so much more…more than you could ever ask, think or imagine. Don’t miss out on the curriculum that God has designed to make you more like Him, just because it is difficult.  Determine right now that no matter what happens, you’re going to focus on maintaining a godly attitude. Remember, God’s loving kindness is eternal and He is faithful. We should be too.