War for Joy (4)

joy: once you get it, give it

But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
Isaiah 65:18 (ESV)

We can be agents of joy. How do I give it?

I'm guessing you've waited in line at a store. The sales person had just checked out 25 ticked-off people. They were not happy and neither were  you because you have been standing in line. But can you be an agent of joy?

What if we all focused on random acts of kindness? What if we prayed, “Jesus, since You have given me so much joy, I will follow You to give joy to the broken, the poor, the needy”? See, for the joy of it, Jesus came and lived among the weak, the weary, the least. He’s supplied all our needs. When we were dead, He gave us life. When we were in despair, He gave us joy. How could we not give it away so freely?

Be agents of joy, spend less, give more. Your need for joy has been met in Christ. That frees you up to meet the tangible needs of others. It is more than just cutting a check.

When we help people our problems seem smaller. And we get more joy.

Get God. Come close. Stay filled.