My fellow Christians, be joy.

When the Spirit of God dwells in us and we bear His fruit, we are to bear the fruit of joy. We are to bear the fruit…and we are to be the fruit. In another passage, Paul admonishes us to “be joyful always.” But when he lists the fruit in Galatians 5, he simply starts the list as “…love, joy, peace…” — and it struck me today how that means when we bear fruit by abiding and being filled, we ARE the joy.

It also struck me today that joy is listed after love and before peace. True joy runs SO deep, much deeper than fluctuating happiness. And we find the beautiful joy which only Jesus gives flows out of knowing how richly we are loved and spills over as our abundance of peace. Additionally, the joy which we ARE in His name overflows to touch and bless others when they may be struggling.

A few days ago, while I was visiting a large city, I ended up sitting beside a complete stranger amid very crowded public transportation. I noticed something about her that made me take a chance and speak to her. She seemed a bit surprised when I did so, but after a pause, she smiled and immediately warmed up to me. Within a short span of time before she had to depart, she shared frankly about an honest life challenge — and I was able to remind her to continue to follow faithfully and make wise choices in the face of discouragement. As she moved away at her intended stop, her smile was appreciative and her eyes alight with the sweetness of genuine connection.

And my heart danced to have lived for a moment beside her. To be His goodness and joy to her.

My friends, grow in Him and receive what only He gives.

Then be who you are. Be His joy.