Unexpected Joy

^"9"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹"These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. ¹²"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. ¹³"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴"You are My friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you" (John 15:9-16, NASB).

Sunday was such a joy for me on many levels. Because of faithful preschool desk workers, I was able to go to the worship center for our service a bit sooner than normal. As I stood there chatting, a beautiful young woman introduced herself and told me that I had led her to the Lord years ago. I knew she looked familiar! Leslie was glowing as she introduced her husband and the fruit of her two girls, one in middle school and one in high school. I rejoiced at what the Lord had done because of her obedience to Him.

As my pastor began the sermon, his text was in John 15. What a great reminder that we are to abide in Him and He brings the fruit. Not only do people come to know Him, but our joy is complete in Him. I began to think of the fruit of Christ being produced in the generations that will follow us and the generations that follow in those we have introduced to Jesus.

Lord, help me be obedient to share you with others. I want those in this generation to know You, but also for those who come later to experience the firm foundation and true joy that only You can bring.