Joy for the Cause of Christ

by Hester Fulton
CRBC Ministry Strategy Coordinator

There’s an old chorus that goes, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (where?), down in my heart (where?), down in my heart. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (where?) down in my heart to stay. And I’m so happy, so very happy, I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart…”

This was a fun song that my family and I used to always sing on road trips and family get-togethers.

The words are very simple, but when you stop and think about them, the joy that is “down in my heart” doesn’t just happen—it’s a joy that is brought on by the knowledge that Christ dwells in us and equips us for His redemptive cause.

Our church mission statement that we say every week in worship says, "I am on the journey when by His grace and for His glory I am actively attending celebration worship, when I am connecting the spiritual truths of God’s word to my daily life, when I am involved in genuine Christian community and engaged with others in the Great Commission cause!"

The journey we’re on should always be bathed in joy. The kind of joy that supersedes our own mission, our own cause and should include true delight in taking up the cause of Christ.

When we are going through our daily lives, we can reflect that exuberant joy, or we can spout our woes and sinful human existence. I dare say that the latter will only drive others away to remain where they are spiritually. But if we exhibit Christ’s joy in all things, people can’t help but wonder why is it that this person can be so happy in such a horrible, worldly situation.

Another song we sang as a family was, “Do you want joy? Real joy? Wonderful Joy? Let Jesus come into your heart!”

It’s so true…if you want real joy, let Jesus come in and replace the day-to-day frustrations, bitterness, sadness, worry, strife, anxiousness and fear with TRUE joy that only Jesus can supply.