Living in Joy!

Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again--rejoice!  Phil. 4:4 (NLT)

Sometimes we struggle to find joy . . . perhaps  it is because we are looking for joy in something we don't have, rather than finding the joy in the things we do have.  I read the following story recently and it is a great example of finding joy in what we have . . .

"Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.  Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play.  His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.

On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school.  Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement:  'Guess what, Mom,' he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me . . .  'I've been chosen to clap and cheer.'"

When I read those words and really thought about that little boy's reaction to "his part", it gave me pause as I thought about our Christian walk.  Sometimes our evangelism involves  "sowing", sometimes "watering", sometimes "reaping".  Sometimes we never know the result of our efforts.  But, just like little Jamie Scott, we can find great joy in doing the "part" we've been assigned at the time, even if we are those who "clap and cheer"!