Joy

Psalms 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

Unlike happiness, joy is a special gift which is inward that is not dependent on any outside factor. If that is true then double joy is a result when one is involved in sowing and reaping as shown in our theme scripture above. To some, who give grudgingly, they are ever missing out on such joy, for God loves a cheerful giver. What a blessing to be partakers of a supernatural gift of joy in a world full of sorrow, pain and trouble. It's a reward we can't miss out for anything. 

This joy too is our strength, according to Nehemiah 8:10. This is a great weapon to use against the enemy who attacks the body of Christ to leave it weak, defeated and good for nothing. When a Christian takes part in giving, they remind the Lord of how he gave of his son to die for us. I don't think he gave him grudgingly. No. He gave him willingly in order to rescue the world from sin. When you give of your money into the gospel, let your heart find joy in the souls that will be won to the kingdom because of your giving. That alone is good motivation to give more and more. 

Single people cannot have greater joy than those who have children. They are missing out on the joy that parents do have who are ever sacrificially giving of themselves and their earnings, sometimes hard earned for the well-being of their children. It looks as if it's loss to give out that money so that another person dresses up, has food to eat, goes to school but the joy it brings for having done something of such great significance is unimaginable to one who's not doing it. That alone gives them motivation to work more. In the event that they lose the child because of premature death, some tend to feel like they don't deserve to live anymore because something which was worth living for is gone. 

Now that's natural to live to take care of your family and loved ones. The higher purpose you were created to live for is to spend and be spent for advancing God's kingdom. Personally I have never felt the burden of being a spiritual parent like the day I planted a church. Oh my God, the investment, time, effort, prayers are nothing compared to the joy you feel after seeing someone get out of sin, drugs, get saved because you have allowed God to use you. That to me is worth it. That is why I cannot stop doing what I am doing or even giving up all for the sheep God has entrusted in my care. It gives me great motivation to live for something everyday! 

I cast a challenge to some of you reading this and are avoiding responsibility in planting a church, a Missional family, getting married and bearing children, starting a fellowship, leading a department in church, sowing to the gospel, there is a joy and a life of significance your missing! 

Arm your self with Joy today by being part of what God is doing through giving of your time and resources.