Joy: The Real Deal A trip to an amusement park causes one to consider “behind the scenes” happiness. By Andrew Blackburn

Joy (joi)    1. A very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight   2. Anything causing such feeling   3. The expression or showing of such feeling; to be full of joy; rejoice.

Joy is that emotion, that element which everyone desires to have. Who after all, doesn't want to be happy or experience pleasure? People go to great lengths to live joyfully, and the world seems to offer everything these days to fill one's life with joy. However, people cannot be happily satisfied, or complete without the joy that God gives through His salvation. Though there are many who seem happy enough living their own lives, looks can be deceiving.

I think back to a vacation I took a few years ago to a theme park which is touted to be one of the happiest places on earth. My high school band teacher had scheduled the four-day trip for the entire band class, and we had been invited to march in one of the park's parades. We were even promised a sneak peak behind the scenes of the park.

High Anticipation

Obviously, the idea of marching and seeing the backstage was very exciting! Anticipation grew over the coming months as the marching band practiced and prepared for the trip. The morning we left, there was nothing but excitement on the faces of the students, teachers, and chaperones—even though we arrived at the airport at an early 4:00 a.m. No one could wait to board the plane or to get off once the flight had landed.

The entire trip had fun-filled good times. It wasn't my first trip to that particular theme park, but it was a whole new experience visiting with a hundred other people I knew or recognized. I went on the rides all day long, and feasted on the churros and other foods that were offered. Walking around, seeing all the colorful buildings, the smiling staff members, and hearing all the laughter from nearby rides really created a sense that the park was perfect. It seemed that everyone, young and old, had a smile on their faces.

Behind the Scenes

The day of the parade came, and our band lined up that afternoon at a gate toward the back end of the park. We were met by several security personnel and told to hand over all our cameras, cell phones, camcorders, and similar electrical devices. Apparently, nobody would be allowed to take footage or pictures behind the back gates of the park. We were escorted through the gate and down a small road to the “station” where we were to change into our marching gear and be aligned for the parade. There was a huge wall separating us from the park. I couldn't see the other side of the wall, but I could hear the sounds and laughter coming from there. On our side though, it was very quiet except for the pavement under our shoes.

It quickly became obvious why security didn't want any “behind the scenes” footage to be taken. Backstage was not what I had expected to see. The place was like a disaster area; it reminded me of a slum. Trash was strewn everywhere; portions of the wall seemed to be moldy and crumbling. The entire place smelled of garbage and smoke. Some fellow students looked a bit bewildered at the surroundings. There were irate employees walking around; gone were the smiling faces and colorful costumes. Gone also, was any sense of the happiness and bliss that abounded on the other side. Unlike the bright, pretty view outside, the back area was anything but joyful.

Eventually, we were able to re-enter the park, and we got to march in the parade that day. Yet as colorful as everything looked while marching through the park, I kept thinking back to the other side of the wall, and how gloomy, dirty, and depressing it was. Sure, the theme park was still a wonderful place; people can have fun and be merry, but just like every other vacation, it will come to an end. Eventually every day the lights go out, and the park closes. At some point, the employees return to that secluded, gloomy area where they have to take off the smiling costumes and return home.

At times, people who are not Christians can be kind of like a theme park. We can observe their outward appearance and demeanor, but we don't get that window behind the scenes in their lives. Sure, at a glance, those who are not saved can be happy. They can have everything the world says they need: a good job, a house, money, a family; the list goes on and on. Some people enjoy life as if it were a bed of roses. Yet, if we could look inward at a person who does not have the Lord in his or her heart, we could find a life that resembles the back of a theme park: run-down, dirty, depressed, and troubled.

An Inside Change

When we read God's Word, it becomes apparent that true joy stems only from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Isaiah 61:10 begins: “I will greatly rejoice in the L ord , my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation.” When someone gets saved, they enter an adventure more thrilling than a roller coaster or any other ride that the world can create. They begin a journey that can end in Heaven some day.

That God will forgive our sins is a great cause for joy! We don't have to be like the world. We don't have to put on an act, nor do we need to hide our sins and imperfections backstage in our hearts. We can bring all those things to God, and allow Him to forgive us and put His joy in our hearts and lives.

More Than a Vacation

It's fun to visit places like theme parks with friends or family, and it's certainly fun to anticipate vacations and holidays. Yet as Christians, we have so much more to anticipate. Just read 1 Corinthians 2:9, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” Wow!

Now there's a great reason to be joyful in all things. If we are saved, and following God's plan for our lives, we will not only experience a joy unspeakable on this earth, but the Bible says that we can't even begin to imagine the joys and treasures which await us up in Heaven! Let's not forget that Heaven, unlike all our holidays and vacations, will never come to an end. God's love for us is so incredibly amazing, it's hard to fathom. Yet it's because of His great love that we can have a real joy down deep in our hearts. We can have the real deal!

Andrew Blackburn is a college student and a member of the Apostolic Faith Church in Portland, Oregon.