On December 3rd, 1984, I began my personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10. Although I was still immature in many ways, there was something different about my spirit. Two years later, during my senior year of high school, I felt compelled to get involved by volunteering for various things. Thus, I became the program director for my Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Bible Study, co-leading with my swim coach, Ken Horne. Despite my stuttering, God used me. Meanwhile, I decided to be an advocate for the Methodist youth group I attended, reaching out to shy people and inviting others to join. My life wasn’t transformed overnight, but serving God filled me with a joy and peace that surpasses all understanding, Philippians 4:7.
While this joy grew periodically during my 5 years of college, somewhere along the way this ecstasy faded, becoming stale. During the Honeymoon period of my faith, delight, elation and happiness were ever present. I guess in many ways my child like faith has wilted, falling out like my hair. Instead, adulthood has caused me to drift into a spiritual coma, forgetting what it is like to have a heart of a servant. Like the woman in Luke 15:8-10, retracing her steps to find a valuable and sentimental coin, I am in the process of recapturing joy.
The priest Zechariah had experienced a life time of silence, beginning with the Malachi’s last words and lasting for 400 years. In his old decrepit body, God ended this silence, sending an angel to Zechariah while he was performing his priestly duties in the temple, Luke 1:10-17. However, like Sarah many years prior, Zechariah doubted God, resulting in muteness for 9 months. Like me, Zechariah had lost his joy until God performed the first of many miracles, Luke 1:23-25. Still speechless, Zechariah had 9 months to contemplate what God was in the process of doing. When he does finally speak in Luke 1:67, its no surprise that Zechariah gives us 2 things people can do to recapture joy.
First, according to Luke 1:74, we should serve God without fear. When you let go of what others think about you and resolve to serve God and God alone, Galatians 1:10, joy returns to your soul. This is why I am so fond of high school. I spent 3 years serving God in the classroom, on the sports field and in my neighborhood. Although, joy is not complete until you apply Luke 1:76. As you begin to tell others what God has done for you, Mark 5:19-20, a spiritual fervor rushes through you like goosebumps.
Despite all of this, there is no magic potion or self help book to recapture joy or else I wouldn’t be writing this blog. The devil still exists with his sights set on stealing your joy, John 10:10. Thus, you need to arm yourself with a Christ-like attitude, 1 Peter 4:1. Use prayer as a daily covering, Mark 1:35, the Bible as a sword, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and the shield of faith to keep joy inside of you, Ephesians 6:16. The rest involves the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4, as you hold on to God’s precious promises each day. As Michael W. Smith once sang, “Pray for Me and I’ll pray for You” so that joy will be recaptured!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 