Joy Chasers: Redefining the Source of True Joy

Have you ever seen a dog chase a car? It’s both funny and nerve-wracking. You can’t help but wonder, What would it do if it caught the car? The reality, however, isn’t so amusing. A dog that catches a car often ends up severely injured or worse. Yet the dog keeps chasing, driven by instincts it doesn’t fully understand.

This image offers an ironic but fitting metaphor for how many of us pursue things we think will make us happy. We chase after happiness, only to find that the things we pursue leave us unfulfilled—or worse, they leave us looking like the dog that caught the car. Why? Because we often confuse happiness with joy. We misunderstand what joy really is and what it takes to find it.

The Chase We Can’t Resist

Why do dogs chase cars? Animal behavior experts point to four basic reasons: the thrill of the hunt, the fun of the chase, an instinct to defend their territory, or a desire to be with their humans. While we might chuckle at these instincts, they mirror our tendencies. Like dogs chasing cars, we humans chase after things we assume will bring us joy—relationships, career success, possessions, or status. But too often, the chase ends in disappointment.

Many people chase joy by chasing what I will call their “fill-in-the-blank.” If I can just get ___________, then I will be truly happy. Maybe it’s the perfect spouse, a dream job, a child, or financial security. Yet when we finally “catch” that thing, we often still long for more.

This longing is because joy isn’t found in external circumstances. Like the dog chasing the car, chasing joy through fleeting pleasures or worldly achievements often contradicts what we seek.

The Psychology of Joy

Psychologists say joy is a profoundly personal experience, distinct from fleeting emotions like happiness. Dr. Pamela Ebstyne, King of Fuller Theological Seminary, describes joy as connected to understanding what matters most in life. She notes, “The fact that joy is understudied is surprising. It’s a core part of being human. A helpful way of thinking about joy is understanding what matters most in human life.”

This definition is helpful but incomplete. Joy isn’t just about identifying what’s significant; it’s about being rooted in something unshakable, something that life’s ups and downs can’t take away. And here’s the key: true joy isn’t something we can manufacture or chase after—it’s a product of knowing Jesus.

Joy to the World: A Deeper Significance

At Christmas, the theme of joy is front and center. Songs like Joy to the World proclaim the birth of Jesus as a reason for unparalleled celebration. But did you know that Isaac Watts didn’t initially write this hymn as a Christmas carol? He originally wrote the lyrics in a book of poems in which he translated various psalms into words that reflect the work of Christ.

The lyrics are based on Psalm 98, and Watts portrayed this psalm as a declaration that Jesus is King! The psalm urges creation itself—rivers, hills, and seas—to rejoice because of the Lord’s justice and faithfulness.

Here’s what Psalm 98 says:

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.

Watts interpreted this psalm through the lens of Christ’s work. When we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!” we declare that Jesus’ arrival on earth fulfilled God’s promises and established His rule.

But this joy isn’t limited to Christmas or a one-time event. It’s a joy that permeates every aspect of life when Jesus becomes King—not just of the world, but of your heart.

Chasing Jesus: The Source of Lasting Joy

When Jesus becomes the King of your life, He transforms your understanding of joy. Suddenly, joy isn’t about chasing temporary fixes or fulfilling worldly ambitions. It’s about pursuing a deeper relationship with Him. This pursuit isn’t like the futile chase of a dog after a car; instead, it’s a life-giving journey that satisfies the deepest longings of your soul.

Unlike chasing one’s fill-in-the-blank pursuits that often disappoint, Jesus offers a joy that is:

• Unshakable: Rooted in God’s eternal love and faithfulness, it remains steady through life’s storms.
• Fulfilling: It doesn’t fade with time or depend on external circumstances.
• Overflowing: It spills over into actions of kindness, generosity, and selfless love.

Why Joy in Jesus Is Different

1.   It Goes Beyond Emotion

Joy in Jesus stirs the heart with moments of overwhelming excitement and gratitude. Yet it’s more than an emotion. Even when happiness fades, the satisfaction of knowing Christ only deepens. Why? Because Jesus is constant. He’s not subject to the ups and downs of life. As Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

2.   It Shapes Your Life

When Jesus is your source of joy, it shows. Your priorities shift. Generosity, kindness, and maturity become natural extensions of your faith. Your actions aren’t driven by a desire to be liked or praised; they flow from a desire to honor your King.

3.   It Outlasts Circumstances

Unlike the temporary highs of achieving a goal or acquiring something new, joy in Jesus remains even when life gets tough. When your joy is tied to Jesus, no setback can take it away. 

From Joy Chasers to Jesus Chasers

I challenge you to stop chasing joy this Christmas and start chasing Jesus. Pursuing Jesus means making Him King. That is, making Him the central focus of your life. It means prioritizing time with Him in prayer and studying His Word. It means allowing Him to transform your daily actions into expressions of His love. It also means trusting Him with your significance—believing that your worth is found in being His child, not in your achievements, possessions, or relationships.

And here’s the beauty: as you pursue Jesus, you discover that you don’t have to chase joy. It comes to you. The closer you draw to Him, the more joy becomes a natural part of your life.

If you’ve been chasing joy in the wrong places, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: What am I looking for? Is it happiness, significance, or purpose? The answer isn’t in a car, a promotion, or even a relationship. It’s in a King who came to bring life, hope, and joy to the world.

The good news is this joy isn’t exclusive. It’s available to anyone who makes Jesus their King. So stop chasing cars that leave you empty and start chasing the One who gives life to the fullest. As the hymn declares, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth - and that means you! - receive her King!”