Got Joy?

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

John 15:11

This wonderful promise that Jesus shares with His disciples was among His last words to them before His death on the cross. He reminds His best friends of the keys to joy, which are still true for us today.

Jesus identifies Himself as the Vine, and we are the branches. When we remain in the Vine and stay connected to Christ, we’ll experience overflowing joy. Drawing vitality from Him, our lives will bless others and produce much fruit. And fruit is naturally sweet!

In our sad, cynical world, it’s not possible to capture this genuine joy apart from Jesus Christ. Even when we are going through extremely difficult times, the Vine continues to pump His life into us.

You and I cannot manufacture joy apart from the Vine, just as a branch does not grow—in fact, cannot grow—when it is disconnected from its life source. If that happens, the chances of surviving and producing fruit are severely jeopardized. Although believers do not lose the security of eternity with God once they have made the step of faith, we can lose the Holy Spirit’s power that He offers us to rally on His behalf in this world.

I know a faithful coworker in Christ who exudes genuine joy. Joyful Jamie (JJ for short) is a walking, breathing branch reaching out to others from her True Vine—Jesus Christ. She loves Christ and is obedient to Him, and her joy can’t help but overflow. People love to be around her because they are naturally drawn to the treasure of joy inside her. It’s a treasure that is available to all of us.

I wish you God’s joy today. Read John 15:1-17 and stay connected to Christ.