Joyful Joyful

Since I joined FB a few months ago, my prophecies have become self-fulfilling. I HAVE spent a lot of time getting reacquainted with old classmates, childhood friends, and summer camp pals. FB  has enabled me to spread the word about my new book, articles I’ve written, and general ministry happenings in my life. I’ve also had a little too much fun exchanging quips, jokes, and “LOL” with current buddies whom I see weekly or better.

Since I joined FB a few months ago, my prophecies have become self-fulfilling. I HAVE spent a lot of time getting reacquainted with old classmates, childhood friends, and summer camp pals. FB  has enabled me to spread the word about my new book, articles I’ve written, and general ministry happenings in my life. I’ve also had a little too much fun exchanging quips, jokes, and “LOL” with current buddies whom I see weekly or better.

Yesterday, a memory prompted me to pull out an old photo album. After 30 minutes of reminiscing, I started scanning. High school came alive again, in humorous, sometimes hilarious snippets. The dances. The ball games. The tournaments. The clothes. The hair! I almost busted a gut when I saw how poufed, permed, and BIG my otherwise attractive hair looked for a formal dance my senior year. How could I have ignored my mother’s well-meant expression of horror that evening? The answer, “I was 17,” explains it all but is still no excuse.

Why was yesterday’s trip down memory lane so fun? I’ve looked at old albums before and I knew what was in them. Obviously nothing new jumped out to surprise me. So what tickled me?

This time, I knew I was going to share my delight with someone. Community was about to happen.

Because of FB, I didn’t just turn pages of an album. I pulled those pics out (carefully) and smacked them on my new scanner. I couldn’t wait to show them to those old friends who had lived those moments with me. I had to share the joy.

As the day progressed, it occurred to me that joy is contagious by nature. We can’t bottle it up and keep it to ourselves. Though it comes from within, an internal state of being,  joy bubbles over to affect those around us.

Proverbs 15:30 says, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”

The Bible mentions joy many times. Eleven times that word is phrased “shouts of joy”; seven times “songs of joy”; and fifteen times “sing for joy.” In almost every instance the context shows people acting out their joy, celebrating something TOGETHER. Joy is meant to be shared.

That’s why we have parties to commemorate special events. It’s why we call our BFF, screaming, when we’ve just gotten engaged. Why the family gathers for the birth of a baby. Why we tell stories that split our sides with laughter. Why I spent all day anticipating comments from old friends in response to happy memories.

When was the last time you shared good news, offered a cheerful look, rejoiced over a blessing (posted fun memories on FB)? How do you communicate the joy of your faith? Does the joy of the Lord shine out of you? Friends, coworkers, neighbors, the grocery cashier…pick your person…how do they see your relationship with Jesus?

Or do they?

Zephaniah 3:17 says, “He takes great delight in you, He renews you by His love; He rejoices over you with a shout of joy.”

The Lord rejoices over you! He takes great delight in you! Doesn’t that rate a smile, a cheerful word, a blissful wonder?

Go tell someone about it. Share the joy.