Converted by Joy!
"Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart.
O Daughter of Jerusalem."
Zephaniah 3:14
Malcolm Muggeridge was converted by joy. Some of you will recognize the name of the renowned educator and journalist born in England in 1903. He has written many great works for the church. Before he wrote for the church, however, he wrote for Stalin. Socialist in his views from an early age, he was attracted by Marxism. During the cold war he traveled to Russia to do a story on the death of religion in that atheistic empire. After many interviews, Muggeridge attended an Easter Service in an Orthodox church. It was packed. Muggeridge was surprised and something stirred within him. The people worshiped with such joy. At the end of the service, the priest shouted "Christ is risen!"; the people shouted back, "He is risen indeed!" Muggeridge says that he looked into their faces and he instantly knew that they were right and that Marx and Stalin were wrong. Malcolm Muggeridge had been converted by joy!
Could the joy on your face convert anyone? Advent is the approach of your Savior! He comes to bring full salvation and eternal blessedness. Rejoice! Let the song in your soul escape! Let the shout lodged in your lungs burst forth! Jesus comes! Join your shout with the daughter of Jerusalem and let all know that you are happy - because of Jesus. Who knows? Someone watching may get converted!
© 2009 Don Reigstad