Just as a fruit tree cannot force itself to bear fruit, our joy is a natural, organic outpouring of our relationship with God, rooted in His love and faithfulness. As our roots sink down into who Jesus is, the life and abundance of that connection yields a harvest of His righteousness.

In a world that often seeks instant gratification and temporary pleasures, God offers us lasting joy that springs from His presence. When we are tempted to try to sustain our own lives merely on the force of our grit, choices or determination, Jesus reminds us to remain on His path—the path of life. Within the warmth of His presence—His orchard—we grow the fruit He desires to produce in us.

So, you can stop trying to manufacture joy in your life, and instead trust in the Lord to fill you with His joy as an inside-out fruit, that surpasses all understanding. He is the vine; we are the branches (John 15:5). And He will sustain us with His enduring joy.