You bring me joy!

Do you remember “Cracker Jacks?” “That candy coated popcorn peanuts and a prize, that’s what you get in Cracker Jacks!” Are you old enough to remember that catchy jingle? It was the most fun for a child to get one of those slim blue foiled boxes. The box featured a young boy on the front cover wearing a navy blue sailor outfit, a white hat, and at his feet was a little white pooch with a black eye and ear. The box opened on the topside and that wonderful whiff of heavenly popcorn, roasted peanuts, and syrupy sweetness permeated the air. Before the first morsel touched our lips, our happy little fingers moved the candied corn to search for the much anticipated prize. When our excitement was too much to contain, we turned the treat box upside down and scattered its contents all over the tabletop. There hidden among the clusters of chewy paradise was an itty bitty prize packet that housed a tattoo, stickers, a little ring, whistles, watches, spinning tops, miniature joke books, and even a hologram. It sounds kind of silly now, doesn’t it? How that little box brought such joy to a young heart! Maybe it isn’t so silly that something so simple, readily available, and uncomplicated could bring such happiness to one’s life. Today, what brings joy to your heart? What fills your being with life?

We search for material and tangible things in life to realize a dream, give us temporary relief from stresses, or a much needed break in our daily routine. Although trivial, we may even think that a ride in an open convertible, front row seats to a concert, singing in the shower, a vacation to Europe, a night out on the town, or a yummy piece of cake are joys close to our hearts! Yes these are exciting and delectable things that are pleasing to our minds, spirits and senses, but what do they fix or satisfy? When the vacation is over, the hangover from the weekend sets in, and the cake calories and fat have gone to our hips and tummy, what is it that we still desire to make us happy?

As we mature in age, experiences and thoughts, our idea of “joy” takes on a different level of emotion and we are filled with thoughts of the many wonderful blessings in our lives. It may be the thought of our grandchildren, or the fact that we have our sick spouse or loved one with us one more precious day. What was important yesterday may seem suddenly trivial when we put things into a deeper and perhaps more proper perspective. However, we must go through these growing periods in our lives to reach our ultimate maturity.

As we gain more wisdom during this prime of our life, we are more mindful of the many circumstances that would more deeply bring a smile to one’s face, satisfy a spirit that may feel void, or that might make warm a cold place in the heart. However, even the most delightful thing we’ve experienced is not necessarily our most ultimate feeling of joy.

Since we've poured much of our selves into earthly things, we've ignored a special area in our lives that is likely untapped and highly underexplored. It is simple, uncomplicated and readily available to each one of us and it has the potential to bring so much joy that our cup would runneth over!

Jesus lived, died, and rose to prove to us that within Him holds the mysterious answer to life's joy, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” Heaven is our ultimate gift of joy! Jesus' life depicted the passion and provided the excitement and hope for our heavenly kingdom. It is our future home and that place that we should be seeking now to fulfill our hearts! Perhaps our lives have been too busy to wrap our brains around this one! Nor have we ever really connected our earthly spirit to our holy one. However, today is a new day filled with opportunities for new enlightening choices!

You will find that on that one day, at that one special moment when you do make the hope of the kingdom of heaven your personal delight and wonder, your joy of the love of the Lord and all that He promises will overtake you, and your gladness for your future will fill every nook and cranny of your being, and your cup will truly runneth over.

Accept this unique and joyful treasure as part of what brings you peace and joy in your daily life. Choose to see it as part of you. Sleep soundly at night because it is yours. Train your lips so that you will speak encouragingly about it to others. Discipline your hands so that one day you might touch it. Know that you’ll experience a love beyond what any human can provide. Be comforted in knowing there is an incredible support system and love beyond measure within the hope of that treasure. Perfect your new mindset and prepare your heart for your future. And believe, with the grace of God, when He has called you home, and you’ve finally set your feet upon the holy ground, you will know the greatest pleasure, and in that thrill beyond anything you could imagine, “true and pure joy” will be yours forever!

You bring me joy, Oh Lord! In You, is where I seek my happiness! Inspired by Mathew 13:44-46 Jesus said to the disciples, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”