Pure Joy

One of the millennials in my life recently shared this picture. The moment I saw it, my immediate response was ‘pure joy’. This was laughter that came from a deep place. I didn’t get permission to share her name, so I’ll call her ‘ Serenity’. This was a moment filled with true joy. ‘Serenity’ made a public confession of faith in Christ by getting baptized. She found joy in something not made by human hands. This kind can only be understood by those who have dared to walk this road. A joy that costs her nothing [and everything] but came when she decided to give up what she could not keep for what she couldn’t lose. It’s a win-win when we give God latitude in our lives. When His kingdom invades our kingdom. We submit and surrender —only to find out that this is what we’ve been longing for all along. This evokes pure joy!

Today many of our smiles have been staged to be camera worthy. Our laughter forced, our eyes distant and cold. For many, it’s been a long time since we’ve felt pure unadulterated pleasure that’s not hinged on external things. To be joyful not because of an increase in our net worth or accolades, but because we’ve found that thing that money can’t buy. To be so elated that our eyes radiate pure joy. A joy not given to us by this world and all it offers.

Bad news spreads like wildfire these days. Tragedy has become so common; some of us have gotten indifferent to the pain around us. Many try to find fulfillment in things and people—temporary satisfaction. We often numb ourselves with excess. Joy continues to evade us as we pursue empty pleasures. Too many have laughed in the crowd only to ‘check out’ of life the next day. We don’t have to believe it but there’s God-sized vacuum in all of us. Created to be filled only by Him. We will keep seeking and searching, longing for that elusive place of blissful happiness. I found out that it’s more than a place—it’s a Who. He alone gives true joy. That’s what ‘Serenity’ discovered. In scriptures He reminded us, ‘I’ve told you these things that you will be filled with my joy. Yes! Your joy will overflow.’ [John 15:11]. All that He tells us should help to shelter our hearts from despair, depression and hopelessness. Like ‘Serenity’ we’ll find these moments and seasons of boundless joy, even in the storms. I pray you find this too.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.

Romans 15: 13a