From the Pastor’s Heart

I would like to ask you some very personal questions; are you happy…really happy? Is there a bounce in your step? Is there a song on your lips? Is there joy in your soul? What makes you happy? What makes you want to dance?
Do you see happiness and joy around you?

On a recent trip to Virginia I saw joy and happiness in our little grandson, Mac. Mac has a “jump-a-roo.” Until recently Mac just sat in the seat but then he discovered he could jump in it. Mac waits for his cue, his dad claps and sings a made up song…”bouncy, bouncy, bouncy boy.” As soon as his dad starts Mac is jumping as high as he can. His squeals and laughter fill the air. Happiness and joy are contagious for it wasn’t long before we were all clapping, singing and laughing along with Mac.

The other day my mother and I took our granddaughter, Victoria to the park. As soon as the park comes into view Victoria is pointing. She loves to swing. I put her in the baby swing and I give her a push and her laughter touches my soul. The two teeth that Victoria has are glistening in the sun as her smile goes form ear to ear.

Victoria recently received a little toy bus that she can ride or push from her Aunt Brenda. Life cannot be any better for Victoria when she is being pushed around the yard or she is pushing the bus. Her radiance brings a smile to everyone’s face.

The other day Genevieve Moffett and her mom, Susie, were in the office. Genevieve had just completed her first day of kindergarten. And in her words, it was one of the best days of her life. Her beautiful first day of school dress matched her beaming smile as she shared the joy of her first day of kindergarten. Joy and happiness filled the air thanks to Genevieve.

If you saw the opening night of the Democratic Convention you saw pure love and joy on the faces of two precious little girls; Sasha and Malia Obama. Their faces lit up when their dad suddenly appeared on the screen. Their joy bubbled over as they looked at the screen and exclaimed: “I love you, Daddy!”

Is there anything more wonderful than the laughter of children? Their innocent joy is truly a gift. I pray that gift will always be theirs to share.

Sadly, life often has a way of robbing us of joy and the gift of laughter. In fact, there are times when we wonder if we will ever laugh and dance again.

I like the story of the preacher who met two little boys. After greeting them, he said, “Boys, would like to go to heaven?” “Yes, Sir!” one responded immediately. “No, sir,” the other boy said honestly. Surprised by such honesty, the preacher asked, “Son, do you mean that eventually you don’t want to go to heaven?” “I’d like to go eventually,” replied the boy, “but I thought you were getting up a load to go today.” For many people, happiness—like heaven—is something that is going to come eventually, but it never quite arrives.

I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Happiness is an inside job.” What happens on the exterior is cosmetic and delightful but has limitations. What happens on the interior will occur when we choose to allow God to do something within us. That something has eternal value.

Happiness is to know the Savior. Joy in discipleship is not attachment to things but is attachment to Jesus. That is why Paul and Silas, after being beaten and thrown into prison, could pray and sing hymns to God and thereby witness to the prisoners who listened to them. Joy is a sign of the presence of God in one’s life. To be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is to experience a deeper level of joy.

Christianity is a religion of joy and excitement. There is nothing unhappy about it. When we are happy, we not only are better able to carry our own load, but also we help others to lift their burdens.

When I was a youngster attending Sunday School and VBS we used to sing a song…
“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart. (WHERE?)
Down in my heart. (WHERE?)
Down in my heart.
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart. WHERE?
Down in my heart to stay!”

My prayer for you is that you have that joy only God can give down in your heart to stay.

Joy and Happiness,

Pastor Russel