The Fruit of Truth - Joy

The bible tells us that Joy is another hallmark of the life of a follower of Jesus Christ.  Joy is the attribute that is often confused with happiness.  Although there is an outward resemblance, the  similarity ends there.  Happiness is what the world is most familiar with because it is a reaction (in the head) to external stimulus, therefore it is a controllable emotion.  In contrast, joy is a much deeper emotion, generated from an entirely different place. The roots of joy are found in the grateful heart of a person, because of our redemption at the cross of Jesus; and the active work of the Holy Spirit in us.  When God manifests himself, the joy we experience overtakes our emotions as uninhibited exuberance; springing out of a heart overwhelmed by the goodness of our God.

I believe God uses this joy so the world can see him alive in us.  If that is the case, what happens when we allow life to steal our joy?  You guessed it, we have put a basket over the light of our hearts and the world walking in darkness -remains in darkness.  As you go about your daily activities this week, pause to take your “joy temperature” often.  If our countenance does not point to an awesome God, then we need to ask ourselves what are we pointing to.  Blessings.

~Lamar