Pages of Joy // John Greco

Read John 16:19–22.

A couple of years ago, my then-four-year-old son, Jude, came hopping inside from the back deck, crying uncontrollably. I held him in my arms and asked him what happened. Through tears, he simply said, “My foot!” When I examined his feet, I saw that he had a rather larger splinter on the ball of his right foot.

Poor little guy. It was a long splinter, and it had lodged itself deep inside his flesh. But Jude was brave. Even though he was in pain, he let me work the tweezers until I had removed the miniature log. Before long, he was back outside again, this time with shoes and a new Band-aid, plus a lollipop for his troubles. The funny thing is, when I mentioned the splinter incident to Jude a few days later, he didn’t know what I was talking about. He had already forgotten about it (and proceeded to go outside without shoes again).

On the night He was arrested, Jesus told His disciples He was about to leave them. It would only be for a little while and then they would see Him again. He was alluding to His death and resurrection. Jesus said that their sorrow would be like a woman’s pain during labor: intense but soon forgotten, because of the joy she receives holding the child she brought into the world.

We all experience pain and heartache, but if we know Jesus, we can look forward to His return. On that day, our pain will be overcome by joy. The troubles of this world will fade into the background like forgotten memories. We will finally look upon the face of our Savior, and nothing else will seem to matter.

Joy is the serious business of heaven.

C. S. Lewis