The Meaning of Joy
By Simone Wolford

Growing up I remember being intimidated by the Bible. Although several people had shared Christ with me, I didn't follow God's direction until I started reading His Word.

Looking back I now realize my focus was on fitting in with the world and its standards. Like many other people I knew, I thought I would find fulfillment in getting good grades in school or being popular. As I went to college I thought that if I found the perfect major and got a degree that would bring me happiness. My personal dream also was to sing in a Broadway show. I thought If only someone would give me a chance, I would be happy. Later in life after inviting Jesus Christ into my heart, I found the meaning of "joy" instead of happiness.

At age 16 I became a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader. Later, I sang in several theme parks including Worlds of Fun, Busch Gardens, Dollywood and Opryland. I loved singing. This might sound very glamorous; however singing in shows had its up 's and downs. There was no such thing as job security. Every six months I would have to audition for a new show. The theme parks that I sang in were seasonal. During the off-season I would either go to school or work a side job. Life got very interesting at times. I was constantly in a state of transition. The problem was that I was searching for the meaning of life through singing, instead of God's plan. Singing was what made me happy! When I wasn't on stage I wasn't happy. God had so much more for me. I just didn't see it because I had my eyes focused on the wrong things. It was at Busch Gardens that God started to show me that there was so much more to life than just singing. Yes, God gave me a voice, but I was focusing on myself instead of Him.

One year, while I was at Busch Gardens, I lost my voice. At the time, a doctor told me I could either sing in shows or talk. I made a decision to rest my voice by not talking, while continuing to sing in shows. During that time God started knocking on my heart.

The following year at Busch Gardens, a roommate showed me some verses in a Children's Bible. The Children's Bible was less threatening. It didn’t feel like I was going to be zapped by lighting if I touched it. Sometimes we can create all kinds of crazy impressions of the unknown. That was the key: the Bible was unknown to me. I had never read it. That was why it intimidated me. That week, I went out and bought a Children's Bible and started reading it daily. God changed my heart.

A few years later, in Knoxville, TN, I had talked with a pastor about confusion over my salvation. I had invited Jesus into heart, but I didn't feel any different. The pastor told me salvation was not a feeling but a commitment. I think part of my problem was that I was just partially committed to the Lord. I prayed when I needed something. I followed most of the Bible, although I wasn't like a "Super Christian" or "Jesus Freak" that memorized scripture. (I laugh at those memories now, because now all I want to do is tell people about Jesus.) That day, I made a public profession of faith and was baptized. My life was completely different after that moment. After I committed my life to Christ, I was at peace. I not only read scripture, but I started following it. It was then that I discovered the meaning of "joy" instead of happiness. Joy was the feeling I had in my heart when I started following the Lord. Happiness was just a quick fix from things of the world that would fade with time. Joy in Jesus is eternal. I also had peace because I knew that no matter what came my way, God could handle it!

Since I have become a Christian, life has not been perfect. But I have a perfect God who is right beside me. I have joy because I know that I will go to heaven one day when I die. Now when I sing, it isn't just about performing. It's about telling people about the Lord. All this happened about 14 years ago. Since then, God has continued to bless me and guide me.

My prayer is that someone reading this will see that a relationship with God is real and not just a religious practice. If you've never read the Bible, it says that God loves you. After all, He made you. Psalm 139:13 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” My prayer is that you will seek Him as He seeks you and that you will know the abundance of his unconditional love and forgiveness. James says: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) The Lord says, “You will seek me and you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)