Simply Joy

Read Matthew 19:13-15

We live in a world that is mostly absent of joy. The writer of the Constitution of the United States had it right when he wrote that it was a pursuit of happiness. You will never be able to attain happiness because happiness is dependant upon your circumstances. If your circumstances are well, you may be happy, but if not, happiness may seem to disappear. Happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes as does the tides.
God never really promised us happiness, but He did promise us joy. Joy goes beyond the circumstances to the heart and when we dwell in God’s strength, joy is the outcome. The question is, “How do we dwell in God’s strength?” The answer is simple, do what Christ did.
In the passage that we read today, we see Jesus allowing the little children to come and have some special time with Him. “Little children” can refer to actual young children, but I also believe that “little children” can refer to those that are not as fortunate as we are.
The prescription for joy is to reach and help someone that may seem to be a little lower than you. Someone that does not have the blessings that you have. Another place in scripture the apostle admonishes us to prefer our brother or sister. When you sacrifice something for another, you have fulfilled the actions of Christ, and His strength begins to flow into us. When His strength begins to flow, we begin to receive His joy. When we receive His joy, all of the things that are bothering us seem to melt away into nothingness.
Take a moment today to do something for someone that does not have everything you have, and just see how you feel afterwards. See if you receive “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”