What is that makes me SPARKLE?
I’ve often said JOY puts the sparkle in life. Still, there is more to the story than just a simple one-word answer, because the one-word answer requires a subsequent question.
What brings the JOY?
Guess what? There is also an answer to that question! There is a place where the SPARKLE of JOY begins. Let’s explore.
As a Christian believers, we know the Bible gives information and prescriptive to enable us to follow its instruction. There are several passages that address JOY and the strength we derive from it.
Nehemiah stated, “… The joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
The palmist said, “God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all You do.” (Psalm 73:28)
The importance of JOY in the life of a believer is emphasized when we read it in the list of definitive fruit displayed, as a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a Christian believer, in Galatians 5:22.
In his writings to the church at Galatia, Paul pronounces the results of God residing in the hearts of people in a list of nine words. Paul teaches that when we give ourselves over to God, fully, wholly, completely, God fills us with His presence. With His abiding presence comes His traits. God Himself possesses each of these, and His presence enables us to display His fruit in our lives. The yield of a life indwelled by Holy Sprit will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
The greatest thing about this list of qualities is that as we entrust our lives to the Lord, His presence enables us to live out all these traits in our lives with each encounter. We display the fruit of our lives with every relationship we experience on a daily basis. We will brush into and interact with family, friends, coworkers, grocery clerks, baristas, sales people, children, adults, teenagers, senior citizens, leaders, followers, etc. No matter who we encounter, or in what situation, we have the opportunity to leave the SPARKLE of the JOY of the LORD with them.
With every person we encounter, in any situation, we have the opportunity to leave the SPARKLE of the JOY of the LORD with them. Click To Tweet
When we are full of the JOY of the Lord, we will not be able to contain it. It will be spilling over from within, like a bubbling spring. Rather than hoarding the marvel of God’s presence, we will desire to share with others what the Lord is doing in our lives, and proclaim to them He can, and will, do the same, wonderful things for them.
I read an adage once, that says, “Stay close to the people who feel like sunshine.” I want to be that sunshine to others! I have something marvelous to offer the world in relationship with the Lord, His JOY, His PEACE, His KINDNESS! I want to share that in some way, at every encounter.
When we pursue a close, intimate relationship with the Lord, we will grow in our capacity to bear more of this wonderfully positive fruit and share it with more people.
In my own life, I have six little sparklers in my world, and another one due to arrive in February! Those little sweethearts rock this world of mine like nothing else! They bring with them at every encounter, the most beautiful, brilliant chaos I have ever known! May I be the SPARKLER for them so they will know how to SPARKLE to the world around them!!
Life without sparkles is a life with no color. Click To TweetGive it some thought today. Who is it in your life that makes your days SPARKLE?!? Who in your life needs a SPARKLE from you?!?
BE THE SPARKLE!!
