In a beautiful orchard with its neatly groomed rows, there are many types of trees: apple trees, pecan trees, and peach trees. Each has different roots that produce different fruits. Apple trees produce apples. Pecan trees produce pecans. Peach trees, peaches.
Roots in Jesus produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). When you root yourself in Jesus, your fruit becomes a reflection of His heart, attributes, and character.
Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit, a fruit that blossoms when rooted in Jesus.
Joy is much different than happiness. Joy is Jesus’s life in you. It’s His abiding presence in you, regardless of how awful life’s circumstances may be. Joy surrenders control of life to the One who created everything.
On the other hand, happiness needs circumstances to be pleasant. It strives to keep everything under order and control. That’s why events like pandemics and riots cause anxiety levels to rise in people whose lives aren’t rooted in Jesus.
Consider this: The apostles often sang with joy after being whipped, beaten, and persecuted. Why? Because their hearts remained rooted in Jesus. Their joy increased not because of their circumstances, but despite them. That is pure joy.
Nehemiah said it this way: “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When Jesus is Lord of your life, you experience His ceaseless, abiding joy. You must. If your roots are in Him, your fruit is of Him, and joy is the great indicator of Jesus living in you.
Someone once said: “Joy is the flag that flies over the castle when the king is enthroned.” When Jesus is enthroned on your heart, your joy flag waves for all to see.
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Let Him control everything in your life.
Rest in His joy today.