Repeat the Sounding Joy (from “Joy to the World”)

By Erica Fortina
Milan, Italy/Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Scripture Reading:
John 4:28-30, 39-41

We all have “sounding joys” to repeat to others; stories of faith to recount to those around us.

In many ways, both big and small, God has done wonders worth being told. He has worked miracles in our lives and in the lives of those around us that deserve to be praised and shared.

We all have a common treasure to delight in and shout about at the top of our lungs: the coming of Jesus and the salvation He has offered our souls and lives.

The power of one woman’s joy

In the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John we see a woman at a well in Samaria being touched by the same revelation.

In their dialogue, the Samaritan woman tells Jesus, “I know that the Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

In that moment Jesus declares to her, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Just as this was happening, Jesus’ disciples arrive and are surprised to find Him talking with the woman. Leaving her water jar, she goes back to the town and says to the fellow townspeople,  “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 

The people come out of the town and make their way toward Jesus and many of them believe in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 

Facing the obstacles

There is no going around it, it is a shared experience for all of us (at least, it surely is for me!) to encounter many obstacles to our free expression of the goodness we have received. It may be the fear of not being capable to do so, the threat of our reputation changing in the eyes of others, the fear of people deserting us or treating us differently. Sometimes it may be the uncertainty of whether it will make a difference. In some countries, we may even have to fear physical or material repercussions.

Whatever the reason may be, I think we can validate that fear. There is no need to shame ourselves for feeling it. But we have a God who sees our hearts and hears our thoughts and can give them the appropriate care and response.

The more I ponder this episode in the scriptures, the more I am staggered by it.

The woman, a woman, a Samaritan woman (which has no small significance for those times), has just been told all she has ever done and that she has met the Messiah in person. She has been seen in all her frailties and still has been proclaimed the love, acceptance, truth, plan of salvation by Jesus.

In her response to this, she could have shied away; especially considering the reaction of Jesus’ disciples when they saw her with Him. She could have shrinked back from sharing about their encounter to the rest of the town, in fear that they would not have paid attention or attributed any value to what she was saying because of her past and current life situation.

She herself was still shocked by the revelation and needed to fully come to terms with it (“Could this be the messiah?” she wonders out loud with them); yet, she moves forward. She moves past all the obstacles and spreads the wonderful news she has just received.

God can work through you!

I believe God can work beyond our ability, our knowledge, our age, our circumstances.

I grew up in a family of Christians and when I myself was yet to become a disciple, God still used me to share my faith and grow a family tree of believers from that.

In my first years of middle school, I met a very shy girl and took her under my wings. After reaching her high school years, she made Jesus Lord of her life.

Despite my curious, naive and odd 11-year-old self (I remember asking her, “Are you and your family loud at home?”). God worked wonders.

Through her, her brother and sister and high school friend also were reconciled to God. Her siblings reached out to family friends and, from that, another young man and his cousin became disciples. Finally, through her high school friend, another young woman was recently converted.

The joy of having Jesus in their lives and repeating it to those around them enabled more people to join in this treasure we hold. And the best news is that this family tree of believers doesn’t have to stop just yet. The Earth is still moving, time is still ticking, people are still breathing, and God is still the same. Many more can be touched by the coming of our King and be added to the family of believers.

Let us not shame ourselves for our limitations and imperfections. Let us not be paralyzed by our situations. Let us appropriately take them into account and bring them to the Lord of our lives and this world, and let Him act through it all.

May the love and grace we personally have in Jesus be the sounding joy we repeat.

Questions for Reflection:

1.      Do you have any fears that prevent you from sharing the good news with those around you?
2.      How can the joy of the good news and the power of our Lord help you move past those fears?
3.      How have you already seen Him work through obstacles in your life and the lives of others?

Today I will:

Think of someone with whom you can share the good news of Jesus this week. Pray to have the boldness and unashamed faith of the Samaritan woman as you “repeat the sounding joy!”

About the Author:

Erica Fortina was born and raised in Milan, Italy. She lived there until the summer of 2022, when she moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Erica has had the privilege of working as a social worker and serving in the Milan Church of Christ for many years. In 2020, she joined the ICOC Women Service Team in supporting and enriching the sisterhood around the world. Her dream is to integrate spirituality, social work and therapy in her daily actions. She has a passion and desire to accompany women in their journey to finding their true worth and living life to the full.

To hear a special version of "Joy to the World" sung by your sister Amy Kinzer, click the image below:

Photo credits:

(Samaritan Woman pic)

Source: biblefunforkids.com