We’ve just celebrated a season of joy – Great Joy! From the giving of thanks – to the birth of our Lord and Savior – to the start of a new year – it’s been a season of friends and festivities, of gatherings and remembrances. And now we’re moving into 2024 with renewed hope, energy, and excitement… or are we?
Last year I was gifted a wonderful devotional book called He Walks With Me, written by Carol Kent, which I used throughout 2023. Near the end of December I read the phrase “Exploding Joy,” and it got me thinking…
What if instead of explosive rage, the more common response would be explosive joy?
Think of it … joy bursting forth – music – celebrations – attractive, magnetic joy that draws people in rather than pushing them away.
Joy that embraces others.
So much joy that it cannot be contained, but bubbles over and splashes on everyone and everything.
Joy that comes from deep within –
Unshakeable
Undeniable
Unexplainable
Supernatural
JOY.
Joy that leads to blessing others with kindness and appreciation.
Joy that calms the anxious heart, quiets criticism, and repels bitterness.
Effusive joy can change the atmosphere of a room, attitude of a heart, actions of a group.
The Bible speaks of Abundant, Increased joy (Isaiah 9:3),
Inexpressible, Glorious, Unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:8,9),
Full, Complete joy (1 John 1:4, 2 John 1:12, John 15:11; John16:24),
Strength-giving joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10).
This is the kind of joy that kept Peter preaching when threatened (Acts 4), and Paul rejoicing in prison (Philippians).
This year I want my life to be characterized by the joy of the Lord, joy that strengthens me, fills me up, spills over, and splashes on those around me.
I want a heart that rejoices in the love and goodness of God,
to sing with abandon,
to worship with sincerity,
to delight in being in the presence of God,
and to bring joy to the hearts of others.
I want that for you, too.
May you have a year touched by the love and joy of God Almighty.
Happy New Year!
Ruth
Reaching, Encouraging, Connecting 