July 2

The Joy Of Service

I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. — John 15:11 BSB

My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit. — Isa 65:14 BSB

On the eve of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion, our Lord spoke of “these things.” How could He even think of joy at such a time? Yet He spoke confidently of a joy that abides—persistent, enduring joy. Like a hot spring rising from unknown depths into a frozen world. How could He talk of joy at such a moment? Only one answer seems possible: He knew that by His ultimate sacrifice He was creating a wellspring of joy for generations to come. His joy was eternal because He was about to bring joy to countless others.

This joy was a constant throughout His ministry. It was an unending source of strength. How could it be otherwise when He was always serving others, always fulfilling His Father’s loving will for humanity? This is why He could say “Be of good courage,” whether He was healing the sick or forgiving sins. The New Testament overflows with this call to rejoice, to rejoice greatly!

A life of self-giving. Our joy, like Christ’s, comes from giving of ourselves. As we pass on to others the joy and love He fills our hearts with, we find ourselves filled with happiness. Let’s remember that today. God is Love, and that love cannot stay contained.

Each day, let us remain in Him, with open hearts to receive His love, so that we can speak words to the weary, proclaim freedom to captives, and bring hope to those in despair. We are not to create, but to pass on; not to start, but to transmit! Christ’s love and grace were always shown through acts of ministry. He didn’t just speak words of comfort—He acted, and joy followed. We should be more than well-wishers; we should be well-doers, even if it’s just lifting a burden, guiding the confused, or showing kindness to someone in despair. In all these acts, we allow Jesus to express Himself through us, and in doing so, our joy is fulfilled.

Prayer

O Blessed Lord, help me to know the joy that is beyond words, the love that surpasses knowledge, and the peace that goes beyond understanding. Amen.