But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
A number of years ago, there used to be commercials asking the
question, "Got Milk?" They caught my attention and probably other
people's attention as well. The commercials were designed to sell milk of
course, but to also show that it is healthy to drink milk as well. As I
have titled this week's devotional "God Joy?", I decided to have the same
kind of idea as the commercial because we all should want Joy and show
other people a contagious joy that only Jesus Christ can bring into your
life when you have the Fruit of the Spirit.
As we look at joy, think of all the times God has brought joy into your
life. I am sure all of us can come up with numerous memories of joyful
times we have had. If there are too many to count up at this time, that's
wonderful! I think sometimes we forgetful just how joyful God has made
our lives. He has brought joy to us in our walk with Him daily. He has
brought us joy in a special relationship we have with someone else. He
has brought joy as a new child has come into your family.
Here's a question that might challenge some of us a little, "Do we have
joy each day that others can see?" Do we shine with a joyful spirit so
that others stop and wonder why we are different? I cringe when I think
about that question to be honest. I struggle each day with having a
joyful attitude. Satan always tries to distract me with so many things in
order to steal my joy. When I find myself struggling to be joyful, I try
to stop and say a prayer through my work day to ask God to help me have
joy just in knowing that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I cannot let
circumstances around me determine my joy. That is an emotional roller
coaster of weak joy. I should be joyful each day because of the sacrifice
Christ has made for me and the beautiful life He has blessed me with.
Do you share your joy in Christ with people each day? Do you share
words of encouragement with those who seem to be in need at your work
place? God wants us to spread His joy that we have in Christ.
I encourage you and myself to share a little more joy that we have in
Christ with people. If others see joy in our attitude, they'll know
something is different about us and, in time, they'll want to know why we
are joyful. By having joy and sharing that joy, we open up opportunities
to share our faith with those who don't know Christ. The Joy of the Lord
should be our strength.