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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Happy (07/12/07)
Joy grabs us by the heels and spins us around in waves of laughter and happiness. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen. It warms us from head to toe and leaves us refreshed and ready for whatever lies ahead. It relaxes our minds and softens our eyes toward others. It breaks down barriers and promotes intimacy – a blessed realness between friends.
Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives and happiness is her sister. Happiness is the human side of joy. It’s the feeling we get when we obey the call of God. It sings in our souls and refreshes our spirits. It’s the tangible evidence of the power of His presence living and breathing in us, impacting our minds as well as our spirits. Joy and happiness are our traveling partners as we trust and surrender to the Father along the journey.
Joy soothes our souls and happiness relaxes our minds. The tension melts away and peace settles in as we realize we’re not in charge. God has chosen us and promised to lead us through to the end. His joy surrounds us with an atmosphere of love. It’s not about wearing rose-colored glasses. It’s about experiencing a changed life that draws people in and creates a hunger for the same contentment and joy. There’s no room for selfishness in a changed life. Self is crucified in response to God’s call and when self takes a backseat, we see other people with God-eyes. Happiness follows the joy that comes when we realize that it’s not about us any more. (We) have been crucified with Christ and (we) no longer live, but Christ lives in (us). The life (we) live in the body, (we) live by faith in the Son of God, who loved (us) and gave himself for (us). (Galatians 2:20)
Our identity is found in Christ when we surrender to God’s call. We are no longer islands in an ocean, but a body – the body of Christ. Barriers crumble as relationships blossom at the foot of the cross. We enjoy one another’s company. We laugh together. We cry together. We meet Jesus together. And, just like the Velveteen Rabbit, we’re suddenly aware that we’ve been loved to realness for “…the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Colossians 2:17.
No, joy and happiness are not the same thing. Simply sisters. They dance in tandem to the rhythm of the Spirit; refreshing us, relaxing us, and revealing the powerful impact of a life surrendered to Christ.
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This article has been read 779 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
07/21/07
This is lovely - with a wonderful lesson (or two or three!) for the reader.

Putting spaces between your paragraphs would make this a bit easier on the eyes.

Thanks so much for sharing this!
Sharlyn Guthrie
07/23/07
What lovely thoughts you have written here! I really enjoyed the portrayal of joy and happiness as sisters. Your final sentence summed it up beautifully.
terri tiffany
07/25/07
Great opening line. Very vivid descriptions throughout:) You are a colorful writer. This came to a good conclusion and all in all - very nice writing!