Finding Happiness in Christ (Series 1)Shembull

Joy is contagious

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Millie J. White wrote the following:

A few years ago, I remembered the day when I had to go into town to do an errand. I took the tram, which was quite fully loaded. The seats on the tram were long, so the passengers looked at each other. It was a gloomy day, and I imagined that everyone would go to work, but no one seemed happy.

Then a miracle happened – a woman got on the tram holding her one-year-old baby. The blonde-haired baby smiled and jumped up and down and laughed -  you know what a baby does in such a state! He clapped his hands, smiled, jumped up and down. Immediately everyone laughed at him and joined the baby in the joy.

The joy was contagious – like a shot in the arm, and we all laughed and talked like old friends. Finally, an old man, who never seemed to smile, turned to all of us and said, "Brothers, I think I need a drink, but this baby has comforted me." The man waved at the baby, and the baby waved back.

That incident gives life and meaning to these words every time I remember this event, “And a little child shall lead them.” Charles Dickens wrote, “It is harder to be morally contagious than physically.”

Reflection: Almost everyone in the world has a barrage of problems that they endure every day. The result is a gloomy and languid world. Christians must spread heavenly joy to all of them. Take, for example, a baby or a child who is always rejoicing. His joy blesses many. As Christians, let's become Christians who always rejoice. If we do this, the impact will be even greater for many people because the source and reason of our joy are God Himself.

There is no joy in life like the joy of sharing. 

(Bill Graham)