A Friend Named Jesus | Joy For The Journey — Carol McLeod Ministries | Find Joy in Your Everyday Life
I have a friend named Carolyn who is one of the wisest people that I know.
Whenever I spend time with Carolyn … I get a rich and unmatched download of wisdom! Every word she speaks is purposeful and every thought she shares is prudent. When I am with Carolyn … I know what I will get … I will be the beneficiary of her timeless wisdom!
I have a friend named Debby who is a wonderful servant and boy! Does Debby ever make me laugh!
When I am with Debby … my dishes are done … my meals are cooked … and my beds are all made! Debby just loves serving others, and, while she is making my life easier, she is also making me laugh! She finds humor in the little things in life and never misses an opportunity to raise the roof with her giggles. Oh … did I tell you that Debby always brings popcorn when she comes?! When I am with Debby … I know what I will get … I will be the beneficiary of a clean home … endless laughter … and a tub filled with popcorn!
I have a friend named Susie who is quite sincerely the friendliest person and the most encouraging person I have ever met!
I have known Susie since junior high school and this woman has honestly never met a stranger. Her infectious personality … her warm hugs … and the sparkle in her eyes all combine to draw people to her like children run to the ice cream truck on a hot summer day! When you meet Susie … you want more of her! One dose of Susie is not nearly enough! Every word that comes out of her mouth is kind … reassuring …and filled with enthusiasm. When I am with Susie … I know what I will get … I will be the beneficiary of uncommon friendship … heartfelt encouragement … and delightful hugs!
A friend brings personality … you know precisely what to expect when you are with a certain friend.
But if you never hang around with that friend – you will forget. You won’t have what they bring to the table.
If I never talked to Susie on the phone … or spent time with Carolyn in her lovely sunroom … or invited Debby to my house … I would forget who they were and why I loved each one of them so dearly.
Friendship can never be just one-sided but must be enjoyed often!
I have a friend named Jesus … who is eternally the most joyful Person in the history of mankind!
“Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous.
Your favor wraps around each one and covers them
under your canopy of kindness and joy.”
– Psalm 5:12 TPT
Jesus brings an atmosphere of perpetual and contagious joy with Him everywhere He goes … He doesn’t leave heaven without it!
When you are with Jesus … you are with Joy inexpressible!
“But let them all be glad,
those who turn aside to hide themselves in you.
May they keep shouting for joy forever!
Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice.
Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.”
– Psalm 5:11 TPT
Jesus loves bringing His own special brand of joy to every friendship that He has.
There is not one friend that Jesus has who has not been introduced to His expansive and lavish joy.
His joy is always more powerful than pain … more vocal than disappointment … and more pervasive than discouragement.
His joy will outshout your frustration with life!
The joy of Jesus trumps every human emotion you could ever experience!
You don’t get joy without Jesus … and you don’t get Jesus without joy!
“Because of you, I know the path of life,
as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence.
At your right side, I experience divine pleasures forevermore!”
– Psalm 16:11 TPT
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!
