Joy Drives Change

My grandchildren love ice cream trucks. When one would come into their neighborhood, they would get excited. When we’d go to the park, they’d always be looking to see if an ice cream truck was there. There’s something about ice cream trucks that bring out pure joy. “Joy” because it’s a sweet treat and “joy” because it’s what children love.

In Matthew 13:44-46, we have a pair of parables and the emphasis is on selling everything to gain something else. The first story declares it was “joy” that led the man to sell everything and buy the field.  Joy drives change – not guilt or duty.  Jesus doesn’t want just one part of our lives – he wants all of us.  Verse 44 tells us that both men in the stories “sold all”. The result of “selling all” is actually gain.  We probably didn’t see that.  Life in Christ is about taking up your cross but when we die, we live.  When we lose our life, we find it. When we “sell all”, we gain the greatest treasure: Jesus!

An ice cream truck driving down the street where my grandchildren live brings joy.  Joy is the reason and surrender is the response.  The treasure of knowing Jesus is the reward.

Prayer: Jesus, open my eyes so that I might see the treasure that you are. Allow me to know that you are the source of true and unfailing joy.  Grant me the grace to surrender all to You.  Amen!

Matthew 13:44 – When a man found it, he…. went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Author: Tommy Herndon