So far, we have talked about two things we need in our lives. We have talked about hope and peace. These are words that we find to give us encouragement to get through the next hour, the next day or the next week. They are words that help us, the individual, push on and make it through. This week we are looking at joy. Joy is something that can impact those around us. This week, I challenge you to try to make someone’s day brighter by being a vessel of joy. I wonder if we really understand how our joy can affect someone else’s life? C.H. Spurgeon wrote several books on the topic of joy. His explanation of what joy can do is important to read.
“There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes…(But) the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Holy joy will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others.”
I hope you took notice of all the good things joy has to offer to us, and to others around us. Joy is sweet and comforting. Joy can strengthen us to help us do what we need to do each day. I love the last thing Spurgeon says about joy and that is it beautifies us. Joy makes us look good. Joy makes us people who others want to be around. Think about joy in this context.
We have all been around people who bring us down. If you remember watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, you will remember Charlie Brown telling Linus how he was having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. Linus then says to ole’ Chuck, “you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.” Charlie Brown’s attitude was bringing Linus down.
During this time of year, how does our attitude affect those around us? Are we bringing others down by focusing on the things with which we are struggling? Or, are we picking people up by trusting God and having a joyous spirit for others to see? We can influence others by how we focus on life. So, what is the key to having joy? David tells us in Psalm 16:11. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The key to having, and sharing joy is being present with Christ. This Christmas season, may we keep our minds and hearts focused on Christ, so others will see and feel the joy He gives to the world. Until next week…
Peace and Blessings… Johnny
