In a prism, light shines through glass and changes the behavior of each light wave. What goes in as ordinary white light comes out in a variety of different colors.
In the same way, Christ, “the light of the world,’’ changes the directions in which we as light givers are traveling. He also separates His particles of love in us. He shines these particles through us onto others, and this creates the joy found in Him. This process makes our joy complete.
Every day, people come and go in our lives by the hundreds. In our eyes, people are like schools of fish, and we often don’t see them as individuals. Our eyes are like prisms that disperse the light of Christ. When our love for Him shines through us, it changes both our behavior and the behavior of others.
Some versions of the Bible substitute the word “joy’’ for “happiness,’’ but we should know happiness is man-made, while joy is God-given. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is eternal. With happiness we go up and down; with joy it doesn’t matter whether things are going poorly or going well. With joy, we transcend the rolling waves of these ups and downs and remain steadfast.
When our lives shine through the prism of Christ’s love, we disperse His light, and people can in turn see “The Prism of joy.” We can walk through hardship, adversity, humiliation, harassment, even feelings of oddity, without sinking into depression.
The joy of living with Jesus keeps us level-headed no matter what happens in the world. It doesn’t matter about our lifestyle, family background, the highs and lows of life. All may throw us for a loop, and darkness may cover us at night, but our hearts know joy will come in the morning.
Regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation, as Christians we receive plenty of hatred in the world. When it comes to other Christians, however, we must be “Open and Accepting” of all. Being accepting doesn’t require “affirming” people’s lifestyles, because when we affirm, we are judging others as good or bad. Jesus said in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not lest you too will be judged.”
When we let our love pass through “The Prism of Joy,’’ the light of Christ perfects it and refracts divine joy into the world. Christ’s love, reflected through “The Prism of Joy,” makes our lives complete.
The Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis is pastor of the Church of the Open Door at 6001 NW 8th Ave., Miami. To contact the church, call 305-759-0373 or email the pastor at pastoropendoorc@bellsouth.net.
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