Joy is such a strange thing for me.
To be honest, it's not so strange, and maybe that's the strange thing. If you ask my family to describe me, "Happy" or "Joyful" will eventually come from their lips. While I can empathize with why they might say that, I never really understand why it's such a powerful thing.
Maybe that's why it's listed as a spiritual gift…
For me, joy is more like wearing pants: you can do life without it, but you feel a bit lopsided when it's missing. (Perhaps that's why whenever I'm having an "off day" I get a similar response than if I wasn't wearing pants in public: "You okay man?").
Joy is so evident here in Romania; Specifically, the lack of it.
Kristi, our ministry contact here, has been doing ministry here for about 7 years. He told us that, while we would be doing much physical labor (which I can tell you that isn't a lie), he stated our principle purpose for being here was to bring joy: with our presense, with our worship, with our working, with the Spirit shining through us.
Which turns out to be really hard for me.
Not so much the "being happy" part. Rather, it requires me to trust that God has me where He needs me, and He will work with ALL of me to bring about His kingdom.
I can't speak Romanian. (Other than "Thank you", "Hi", "Goodbye", and "You're funny looking".)
I can't make a joke to make people think I am charming.
All I can do, is let God shine through me through my work, my demeanor and my family here on the Race.
God, I'm am here. I am trusting you. I know you are enough to change people. Change me with your joy, and in doing so, change my world around me to YOUR KINGDOM!
Your kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on EARTH as it is in heaven!
