Do We Reflect the JOY of JESUS?

           Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Do you reflect the JOY of Jesus?

            When you look in the mirror, what do you see? I’m not talking about the physical reflection, the imperfections that we all readily see in ourselves on the outside.  Let’s take a deeper look…peer into the depths of your heart. Do you see Jesus?

            I recently read a story from The Word Today by Bob Gass that beautifully illustrates my point. The story tells about: "Bill who was a drunk…converted in a Skid Row mission. Before his conversion he had gained a reputation as a tramp and an alcoholic for whom there was no hope. But when he gave his life to Christ everything changed. He became the most caring person at the mission. He spent his days there doing whatever needed to be done. There was never anything he was asked to do that he considered beneath him. Whether it was cleaning up vomit left by some sick alcoholic or scrubbing toilets used by men who had left them filthy, Bill did it all with a heart of gratitude.

           One evening after the mission director delivered his evangelistic message to the usual crowd of solemn men, one of them came down to the altar and kneeled to pray, crying out for God to help him change. The repentant drunk kept praying, 'O God, make me like Bill! Make me like Bill! Make me like Bill!' The director of the mission leaned over and said, 'Wouldn't it be better if you prayed, "Make me like Jesus"?' After thinking about it for a few seconds, the man looked up and asked, 'Is He like Bill?'  "

            When people look at your example, will they pray to be more like YOU because they see the JOY of JESUS reflected in your life?