Recently, Brink and I were driven to the airport by a young man, totally unaware of the fact that he had been imploring the Lord to bring something special across his way. Settling in the car, we didn’t immediately make ourselves comfortable to take a much-needed little nap, but rather started talking to him. As we simply told our story, sharing the miracles the Lord has done in our relationship, our young man (a pastor) nearly overturned the vehicle. The Lord was answering his prayer! He could experience the fact that God lives and cares for his children. That He would like his children to joyfully share his love with a broken world in need of joy.
On our journey through life we so often have the unrealistic expectation that someone or something would fill our life with joy. Likewise, in 1968, I walked
down the church isle towards my handsome husband-to-be, convinced that he was going to bring joy into every day of our married life. Through the decades that followed our gracious God showed me that only He is the lasting source of joy. He is the One who, through his indwelling Spirit, gives true joy – not only for myself, but abundant joy that He could use to bless others as well.
Jeremiah 17 speaks of trees near the stream of living water. Likewise, I have to let my spiritual roots grow deep into the fertile riverbank of God’s Word. I have to delve into the truths of the Bible and live accordingly to it. Going into a new day, a new week, a new year with this true joy, I will find opportunities to be a channel of joy to others. This way I could choose to contribute towards the much-needed back brace for a teenaged boy with scoliosis. Sharing in the joy of the family on the receiving end, we could praise the Giver of true joy together.
Jesus loved the world so much that He gave his life to save each one of us. What a privilege to be able to live under the control of his Spirit to the extent that I can share his joy, his love, with others wherever I go.
It must be said that we can have joy, and therefore will have it, only as we give it to others …
– Karl Barth
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