By: Juliet Constantine

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11)
 

You have a winning smile”, I used to be told. Once upon a time, I would smile and the world would smile back at me. Back then when I smiled, my eyes twinkled. My smile was genuine because I was happy. With no cares of life and in-spite-of my impoverished life, I was happy. My twinkled eyes happy smiles had stopped, not because I became over anxious with the cares of life, but because a friend told me that I was sending the wrong signal. I was younger then and didn’t know better, so I stopped smiling. As I grew older, I allowed other things to hide my smile.

In one of His regular counseling session with His disciples, Jesus used various examples to teach them a lesson of constant joy. In essence, they were to maintain a close relationship with Him and they would always be joyful. Their joy will be full if they abide in Him. To be fruitful and having the favor of God (in receiving whatsoever requested) the key was abiding in Him.

I paused to think about Jesus’ countenance. It must have been a pleasant one – one that people were happy to behold. He knew of the challenges that He would face every day and His ultimate fate, but still, He had joy. “Every before Him, Christ saw the result of His mission … Christ saw the travail of His soul and was satisfied … Although the baptism of the blood must first be received … yet for the joy that was set before Him, He chose to endure the cross and despised the shame … This is the joy His followers are to share” (MOH pg 504). As Christians, we too should portray a joyful countenance. This is only possible when we abide in Him.

So, wear your smiles. No matter what life throws at you, be constantly joyful. Let the devil wonder. Let the world smile back at you. Too many of us have become gloomy Christians. We talk about God’s goodness, yet our faces do not show it. It is time our testimony match our attitude. Smile, as if you have no care in this life – we don’t because we left them all at Jesus’ feet! Let’s keep our eyes on the ultimate goal – Heaven. Let’s enjoy the journey as we travel through this pilgrim land. This is what Jesus desired for us – that our joy might remain in us and that our joy might be full.

My smile (or a fraction of it) was resumed when my firstborn arrived - and was he full of smiles. The world naturally smiled back when Daniel smiled. But my smile isn’t constant anymore, and that’s sad. So now I have something more to pray about – a constant smile that reflects Christ joyful desire for me.

Life will always be challenging. There will always be obstacles in our way. Don’t be annoyed. Just smile and give your face a rest!!

Dear Heavenly Father, it is so reassuring that You want us to be happy joyful children! Thank You. Please help us to remember, in the hour of our trials and frustration, that You want us to be happy - not temporal happiness - but lasting happiness that only You can give. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

 

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)