Joy Roots

Isn't it amazing at what we find "joyful?" Have you ever stepped back and took a serious look at some of America's past times?  How about hitting a small white dimpled ball with a stick toward a small shallow hole hundreds of yards away?  Or, what about spending hours in your car on the road admiring dying leaves?  These are activities bring people much joy, but when you really think about it, sounds a little crazy, huh?

Any way you put it, real joy is wrapped up neatly and completely in Christ Jesus. Nehemiah puts it like this: " ... the joy of the LORD is your strength." (8:10).  No more, no less -- just right. Not only that, it is rock solid -- rooted to the depth of infinity ... and beyond!  When we depend on circumstances, situations, finances, or people for our joy ... count on being disappointed.  All those things change with the wind and the roots of such joy prove shallow soon enough.  The Joy of the Lord, however, proves to be the Strength needed for our spirits to withstand even the fiercest of Satan's snarls.  While The Father certainly created reminders to bring us joy -- a rainbow, a robin, sunsets, autumn leaves,
laughter of children, aroma of coffee … yes, even golf … He remains the True Source of all joy.  We are wise and obedient to put our "joy roots" in nothing else than Him!