How to Enjoy a Holy Life: Finding Joy in God’s Loving Boundaries - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - November 3

Audio By Carbonatix

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:9-11, NIV 

My family and I visit Shenandoah National Park regularly. While there, we love to drive the famous Skyline Drive on top of the mountains that overlook the Shenandoah Valley. We were coming around a curve with a spectacular view when I tried to take a picture from the car and felt annoyed that a guardrail was obstructing the view. Having those big hunks of gray metal messing up the natural scene I wanted to capture seemed so restrictive. But I'd changed my mind by the time we stopped at a parking area for a hike. We could have accidentally driven off the cliff if the guardrails had been removed. Yes, they were restrictive, but they were actually good for us! We could enjoy the park fully by staying safe. 

God’s commandments are like those guardrails. They’re not arbitrary rules meant to make your life miserable. They’re loving, protective boundaries given by your Heavenly Father, who knows the road of life perfectly. God knows all the dangerous cliffs in this fallen world that can send your life plunging into ruin. His commands to forgive, be generous, speak truth, and walk humbly aren’t meant to hold you back. Instead, they’re meant to protect your soul, relationships, and peace so you can enjoy life's journey. 

Have you ever thought that living a holy life must be boring? It’s a familiar feeling. It’s easy to picture a life with a long list of “don’ts” that get in the way of all the fun. God can seem like a cosmic killjoy, eager to spoil your good time.

But look again at what Jesus says in these verses. After discussing love and commandments, Jesus gives the ultimate reason: “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” This doesn’t sound like a boring, restrictive life at all! Jesus says the path to the most joyful life imaginable is right between God’s love and commands. How can this be? 

God’s love is the most potent force that exists! It’s so strong that God actually is love at his core.

Everything that flows from God to you comes from this place of intense, personal love. God isn’t a distant dictator who gives you arbitrary rules to follow. He’s a loving Father speaking to you as a beloved child. So, when Jesus tells you to “abide in my love,” he invites you to live confidently in this incredible reality. You never have to try to earn God’s love, and you never have to worry about losing it, either. Jesus invites you to receive that love and live within it. 

Jesus connects abiding in his love with keeping his commands. That can sound confusing, like Jesus demands that you do what he says to experience his love. But that’s not it at all. Jesus says that because he loves you, he shows you the best way to live, so you can be well and enjoy your life to the fullest!

Jesus’ ultimate goal for you is a life full of joy. Joy is much greater than happiness, the best our fallen world can offer. Happiness depends entirely on your circumstances. If things are going well, you’re happy. If they’re not, you’re unhappy. Happiness is unreliable and temporary.

The joy Jesus offers you is entirely different. Joy is a deep, steady peace and confidence that comes from being sure of God’s love for you, regardless of the circumstances around you. When you live within God’s loving guardrails, you can break free from the weight of sin and enjoy a truly fulfilling life. You get to experience the peace of a clear conscience and the security of knowing you live in ways your Creator says are best for you. 

When you live a holy life by trusting God’s loving commands, you don’t restrict yourself from enjoyment – you make room for the fullness of joy that only Jesus can give you.

Let’s pray:

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me with the same love the Father has for you. Please help me stop seeing your commandments as restrictive rules and start seeing them as loving guardrails designed for my protection and well-being. I want to abide in your love every day. Teach me to obey your commands with trust that you want what’s best for me, so I can be free from everything less than the best and be filled with your complete and lasting joy. Thank you; amen.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Maya Karkalicheva

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.

Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber

Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.

In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!