“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” James 1:2
I read the story of a man named Robert Reid.
The article said, “His hands are twisted and his feet are useless. He can’t bathe himself. He can’t feed himself. He can’t brush his teeth, comb his hair, or put on his underwear. Strips of Velcro hold his shirts together. His speech drags like a worn out audiocassette.
Robert has cerebral palsy.”
The disease keeps him from driving a car, riding a bike, and going for a walk. But it didn’t keep him from graduating from high school or attending Abilene Christian University, from which he graduate with a degree in Latin. Having cerebral palsy didn’t keep him from teaching at St. Louis junior college or from venturing overseas on five mission trips.
And Robert’s disease didn’t prevent him from becoming a missionary in Portugal.
He moved to Lisbon, alone, in 1972. There he rented a hotel room and began studying Portuguese. He found a restaurant owner who would feed him after the rush hour and a tutor who would instruct him in the language.
Then he stationed himself daily in a park, where he distributed brochures about Christ. Within six years he led seventy people to the Lord, one of whom became his wife, Rosa.
“I have everything I need for joy,” he said.”
Everything for joy? The world would say he didn’t. He had a debilitating disease... couldn’t do many things for himself... His emotions might have got the best of him if not for one critical component in Robert’s life:
A lifelong relationship with his loving God.
Robert knew that joy doesn’t come from circumstance...it comes from connection. Staying tethered to Christ in the darkness... when the world seems hopeless, helpless, and harmful. Joy isn’t temporary...it doesn’t shift with the wind...
Joy is knowing that Jesus Christ is there and will never leave.
Joy is being confident in your salvation.
Joy is doing more than the world says you can because your God will get you through.
Joy is remembering that your legs may not work, but your heart can still dance.
Joy is feeling blessed even when the storms roll in.
Joy is leaning on God’s promises in spite of what you see in front of you.
Joy can’t be taken from you...
It isn’t a feeling.
It isn’t an emotion.
Joy is recalling what Christ looks and sounds like in the darkest part of the valley.
Joy is following your Shepherd simply because you remember that He knows the way.
Joy is more than happiness... for happiness fades. It is an inner and unending spring of confidence that comes from knowing the size and strength of God.
If you don’t have joy in your life today... it is my prayer that you would do your very best to seek it. Let nothing hold you back from the life of joy that God has for you. He is good... He is loving... and He died so that we can live the life we were created to.
