We’ve all heard these expressions before...JOY to the world...jump for JOY...a JOY(ful) noise...count it all JOY! Should you decide to find a dictionary and look up the word, you will find that it is explained as a noun and maybe even a verb. You will also find that joy is explained as an emotion. It is said that we feel joy – it is explained as a feeling or a sensation of happiness or contentment. I have even met a girl once by the name of Joy...her mom’s intention was for her to have a happy life...hence the name. To me the best explanation yet is - High Spirited Delight! To me joy is a result of spiritual freedom, a sense of peace from within. It’s more a state of being than it is a result of; or a reaction to...
When we give our lives to following Jesus, He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit in return. And the Holy Spirit becomes and gives many things to us. He becomes our teacher, counsellor and friend. Through the Holy Spirit we are able to bear spiritual fruits.
Galatians 5:22 ...but the fruit of the Spirit is ...joy...
So then, joy is more than a reaction to an action (or event). Since I have given my life to the Lord, I have felt a sense of peace about it all. Peace about my past, present and my future. I know who I am and where I am going with my life since my salvation – with the result I feel a sense of joy – always! Yeah, always...even when days are rough and times seems bleak, I have a joy within. This is not a joy that I can force or pretend, as it is from inside.
I have learned that this joy is contagious or infectious. It attracts all sorts of people to me. I am now able to relate to broken people, sad people, happy people, prosperous people, and all other kinds of people. I guess, because of the joy I have within me I am more approachable now. The Holy Spirit has gifted me a real and true confidence. True as apposed to false, pretentious, “put on” kind of confidence. People want some of my God given joy! I am happy to share it too.
May it be true to say, that joy is available to all. However, those without the Lord in their lives lack Godly joy. Their joy is usually short lived or perverted joy. Real joy, pure joy we can only know when we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. I know this from personal experience and I can witness to this by who I associate with saved and unsaved. I am not suggesting that it’s moon shine and roses all the time, but we can count it all joy in the Lord. Like James sais in his book – James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.
As Christians we must tap into the joy that we find in the Lord. Lets build on the joy God has gifted us with through the Holy Spirit. Paul in his letter to the Philippians (4:4) says; rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. We can show this joy and build on it through worship, serving others (especially the least of these), prayer, witnessing to others about the Lord’s love and kindness. We can apply joy by living righteous and moral lives, by working excellently in all we do, making sacrifices and offerings to the Lord and His people. Call on Him daily in song – make a joyful noise – sing His praise!
Joy from inside will effectively show outside too. You will become more radiant to others, your skin glows in a supernatural way. You will live a more blessed life, it will be such a joy to bless others with the blessings you have received by choosing to tap into your god given joy!
Lord in the name of Jesus I pray, that Your Holy Spirit overcome me with joy this very moment and for all the days of my life. Amen!
