They say money can’t buy happiness.

I think that is a lie.

Happiness, for me, can very easily be bought. That first sip of caramel iced coffee in a drive through after a day of errands with my two little besties is momentary bliss. Caramel-swirled happiness in a cup for less than $5. If you ask my daughter, all it takes is a shiny new toy in the check-out line at the store. Happiness in hand, headed to the car to be played with for-if we’re lucky-the rest of that day.

But what happens when that last sip of iced coffee is gone?

What happens to that toy when it isn’t so shiny anymore?

They’re thrown out. Gone. Replaced by the next thing.

You know what else is tossed out right along with it? The happiness that was bought. Why? Happiness, by design, is fleeting. Happiness doesn’t fill the deep desires we have in our hearts. It isn’t meant to be a lasting feeling that is tied to a single moment in time. Now don’t get me wrong-I think it’s okay to enjoy these little moments of bliss when we find them. God gave us things in this life to enjoy. Creation itself was made full of things that bring pleasure. God gave us food to enjoy, relationships to cherish, mountains, oceans and flowers to admire. However, if you are expecting money to buy you a happiness that won’t fade, you will spend a lifetime searching in vain.

What they should say is: money can’t buy joy.

Happiness may be fleeting, but joy is eternal. Joy can’t be thrown out, or replaced by the next new thing. You can’t pick up joy in the drive-thru, or by browsing the aisles at Target. Joy isn’t just a feeling that comes and goes. You can feel joy in the midst of grief. It can hold your hand as you walk down the path of a trial that doesn’t seem to end. Joy can be your friend in the midst of great disappointment. Happiness is based on circumstances. Joy is steady, never changing.

Where can this joy be found if it doesn’t come from circumstances?

It won’t be found climbing the ladder at work.

It won’t be found when you have the perfect spouse or raise the most perfect kids.

There isn’t enough caramel swirl in the entire world to fill that desire in your heart.

The only way to TRUE joy is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Only Christ can bring the joy that isn’t fleeting. Only Christ can bring the joy that doesn’t fade or burn out in the midst of life’s storms. If you have been looking for total peace and satisfaction in your soul, you have been looking for Jesus.

Jesus’s invitation is this:

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12 (NIV)

Let me repeat that:

“That joy may be in you.”

We are not only offered joy, but HIS joy. The joy in Jesus Christ himself. That joy is free to anyone who is willing to let Christ dwell in their heart. God keeps his promises. And He has promised us joy-real joy, lasting joy- in Jesus. If you walk with Jesus, you can experience true joy. You can have calm in the midst of chaos. You can be joyful, even when your circumstances make you ache. All you have to do is remain in Christ, obey the Father, and love each other.

That is the joy that money can’t buy.

What are you chasing today? Happiness or joy? I hope that as you cruise around with your iced coffee, or head through the check-out line, you will accept that happiness for what it is- temporary. Spend some time this week in God’s word. Walk with Jesus. Talk with God in prayer. Experience the joy that we can freely have through Christ.