Rejoice in the Lord always
Have you watched the movie Happy Feet?
It’s about a little penguin, Mumble, who couldn’t sing. This made him an outcast in a world where singing was the only way to attract a soulmate. However, he discovers that he has an incredible talent for tap dancing. His gift fills the world around him with joy.
Mumble reminds me of our son, Zac.
Zac was severely disabled; he could not talk, walk, sit or eat, and eventually his condition caused him to pass away last March.
Despite his limitations, Zac carried a radiant joy with him wherever we went. He lit up the lives of those around him with his smile. His uninhibited giggles, sparkling eyes, and delight in the simplest things made joy around him irresistible.
Joyfulness is a recurring theme in the Bible:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4 NIV
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22 ESV
Somehow, uninhibited joy and cheer come more easily and more naturally to children, but as we grow up, we tend to lose some of that.
Research has shown that kids smile approximately 400 times a day, as opposed to adults, who average only about 20(!!) smiles.
Jesus taught us to be like the children (Matthew 18:3), and I believe that pursuing childlike joyfulness is a big part of that.
So, today, choose joy. Laugh freely, even if life feels heavy. Celebrate the small victories, even if the big ones are still on the way and remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV).
I want to pray Romans 15:13 NIV over you:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
