The advertising world seems to be overly concerned about what we carry around with us. The famous American Express credit card commercial has featured many celebrities who say they "don't leave home without it!" A newer credit card ad campaign asks, "What's in your wallet?"
We do worry a lot about how much money we carry around, or whether we have packed everything in the diaper bag or our favorite shade of lip gloss in the make-up case. But how often do we think about what we're carrying on the inside? And how much of it shows through to the outside?
A wonderful Christian lady I met through our youth programs gave her daughter the name Carrie Joy, because she said she wanted her to always "carry joy".
I thought that was a wonderful gift to give a child.
It's a wonderful gift we can give to God, ourselves and others as well. If we carry joy, it doesn't mean we have to be happy and bubbly twenty-four/seven. It just means we have a deep and peaceful understanding of God's love and we know He can bring us through anything. That is true joy.
Some of my favorite praise choruses and hymns are about joy.
There are over 225 bible verses about joy. (Not including the "joyful" and "joyous" ones.)
This week let's find our joy and hold onto it with at least one hand as we navigate the day, and just maybe some of it will be spread to others.
Rather than listing my favorite lyrics and verses on joy, I challenge you to take ten minutes this week to write down some of your favorite songs or choruses about joy. Sing them -- in the shower or anywhere, even if you get funny looks from your kids! Then see if you can find the scripture they are based on.
Happy, happy joy hunting!