Once upon a time, there was a very successful man, let’s call him Jack. He had more than enough: a big house, shiny cars, and a leading business. Everyone respected his achievements. Even his children were terrific, and his wife always looked lovely. 

Yet there was a feeling of emptiness inside him. It kept bothering him, and he wondered what he could fill it with, because he had everything a person could accumulate on earth. 

In his search, he ran into a university friend, Sam. They hadn’t seen each other for years, and it was so nice to reconnect. Well, so nice that Sam invited him to visit him in the countryside. 

There was just something different about Sam, Jack thought. He wanted to find out what it was and agreed to visit. 

Jack couldn’t believe his eyes when he walked into Sam’s house. Everything was so simple. No luxuries. Nothing shiny, but yet there was so much joy in his house. 

That’s what I miss, Jack thought to himself. That true joy and peace that takes your breath away. That’s what he longed for, and he immediately asked Sam where he found it. 

Sam pointed to a chest in the middle of the living room. Jack immediately opened it and saw a Bible. “Is this where your peace and joy come from?” he wanted to know in surprise. 

Jack opened the Bible and read: 5The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 

Sam said that he, like Jack, had chased after all the glamorous things of the world. He also had the cars and money and prestige, and all those things that are important to the world. 

But deep inside him, there was an emptiness. Something that the world and all the money could not give him. So, he sold everything and came to live in the countryside in search of true joy and peace. 

And he found it – in the Word of God. He found it in Jesus, who has already overcome the world. The things that, according to the world, bring happiness and joy are just plastic. And somewhere along the way, these things disappear like mist before the sun. Then you’re back in line with nothing. 

Many people try to overcome the world by making external changes or giving up certain sinful habits, but without faith in Jesus, they remain trapped by the world’s influence. 

Only through faith in Jesus can we find true victory. When you change your heart and realise that Jesus is the only Son of God, lasting peace and joy descend upon you, even in the face of loss or disappointment. 

Scripture
1 John 5:1-5 

Reflection
Do you have real peace and joy?
Do you still miss something somewhere?
Are you looking in the right place? 

Prayer
Father, I’m so caught up in the things of the world. Help me to make Jesus the greatest strength in my life, for it is only in Him that true joy and peace can be found. Amen.