Joy Is Not Foolish

Joy is as multifaceted as love. Joy can be a quiet, unquenchable contented spirit. It can be explosive and wild. Joy can also be glorious, an inexpressible heart-to-heart worship that words would profane. But joy is not foolish.

When I am in the joy of the Lord, I am not in a state of ignorance. Joy is the result of my seeing the world and my life more clearly, not less, because I see with the eyes of Jesus Christ. Joy is many things, but never foolish.

Joy Is Not Foolish, It’s Wisdom

Jesus rejoiced because His Father was Love—absolutely sovereign and utterly good. His purpose was perfect, and joy was the response of the mind of Christ to His Father’s ways. When I experience the joy of the Lord, I am of one mind with Him. And in that moment, there is no fear or confusion or doubt. There is only God and His perfect Love.

The world will no doubt call joy foolish. Why shouldn’t they? They see with earthly eyes only. At any given moment, it looks foolish to be joyful because things are just awful. And getting worse by the day. But joy is not foolish.

Joy Is Not Foolish, It’s Divine

When I am in perfect union with Jesus, and He is joyful, then sharing His joy in that moment is the height of wisdom. In that joy is the eternal love that flows between Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit – and I get to share it. I have the privilege of rejoicing with heaven and bringing that joy down to earth.

And that’s the crux of it all. Joy is not just an emotion that can be ginned up as circumstances warrant. It is a heavenly state of being. There is no mimicry of joy that is not off-putting at best and downright creepy at worst. Joy is divine and we are its earthen vessels. “The joy of the Lord is my strength!” And if that is so, then true joy is not foolish. It is mighty.

For you are [indeed] our glory and our joy!
1 Thessalonians 2:20 AMPC