Be a Conduit of Joy
Whenever I visited with my mom in another state, she would look at me and say, “You always have a smile.” I wish that over the many years everything has been smile-worthy, but not so. I have long since realized that a smile costs us nothing. It does not take dollars or cents to uplift someone else’s day despite how you may be feeling personally. Everyone, I am sure, have had good days, challenging days, and everything in between. A smile can bring peace to a troubled situation.
Among humans, a smile expresses sociability, happiness, joy, or amusement. A smile is so different from the look of anxiety, stress, or pressures of various labels. Throughout many cultures a smile is a connector. Just think, God created us with the capacity to use those ‘smile’ muscles to connect with others. When I think of a smile, I think of an emotional stream from within that spills over to others at no cost to us. Jesus created us with such a stream to touch others with His love, His hope, and His comfort.
When we accepted Christ into our hearts and lives, He brought with Him His joy. JOY is the state that results from knowing and serving God. Joy is also one of the fruits of the spirit and is a characteristic of Jesus. As His spirit flows through us to others, His joy is made manifest in our lives. I am reminded of an old song: “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away!” it is God-given. (Galatians 5:22 NIV)
Many people think that God is the great Killjoy. Nothing could be a bigger lie. God Himself created joy, and He wants His people to know His joy. The Bible speaks of God rejoicing in His creative works: “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.” (Psalms 104:31 NIV) “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.” (Isa. 65:18 NIV)
Among humans, a smile expresses sociability, happiness, joy, or amusement. A smile is so different from the look of anxiety, stress, or pressures of various labels. Throughout many cultures a smile is a connector. Just think, God created us with the capacity to use those ‘smile’ muscles to connect with others. When I think of a smile, I think of an emotional stream from within that spills over to others at no cost to us. Jesus created us with such a stream to touch others with His love, His hope, and His comfort.
When we accepted Christ into our hearts and lives, He brought with Him His joy. JOY is the state that results from knowing and serving God. Joy is also one of the fruits of the spirit and is a characteristic of Jesus. As His spirit flows through us to others, His joy is made manifest in our lives. I am reminded of an old song: “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away!” it is God-given. (Galatians 5:22 NIV)
Many people think that God is the great Killjoy. Nothing could be a bigger lie. God Himself created joy, and He wants His people to know His joy. The Bible speaks of God rejoicing in His creative works: “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.” (Psalms 104:31 NIV) “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.” (Isa. 65:18 NIV)