As you press in to the Body of Christ, as you spend time with people, as you make friends, as you join small groups, as you get into the smaller context, as you stay around for a few minutes afterwards and have tea and coffee and chat with people, you give them an opportunity to manifest the joy of God in your direction and for you to begin to delight in God’s people in the way the psalmist speaks of.
Church also brings joy through others as you serve alongside them.
Whether that’s making tea, cleaning toilets, or helping the local poor, when you have a partnership with others that you serve Jesus together with, joy is the result. Philippians 1 talks about partnership in the gospel – and holding people in our hearts; as we do that, then the joy of God will be revealed through His people to you.
Actually, there is a real joy in giving, as you perhaps serve in some way, as you get stuck in to a team, you will get to know people on that team as well. As you give, God gives back to you because God is no man’s debtor, and I would urge you this term, make it your goal, do something to deepen your walk with the Body of people you worship with. Whether it is joining a small group for the first time, whether it is getting on to a course, or maybe going to the prayer meeting (I know someone who met his future wife at a prayer meeting!), or whether it is going to a Mums and Toddlers Group, or whatever it is that you choose to do, even if it is just staying ten minutes longer this morning rather than rushing off to get home, do it because there you will find joy.
It is not possible to love Jesus while hating His Bride. It is also not possible to love Jesus and pursue Jesus while neglecting His Bride.
So there is joy in fellowship with the Body of Christ. Tomorrow, we will look at another means God uses to give us joy.
