“This is such great news.”

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, How Happiness Happens (p. 8). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

It really is.

A beautiful smile!

Max says, “You can’t control your genetics. You aren’t in charge of the weather, the traffic, or the occupant of the White House. But you can always increase the number of smiles on our planet. You can lower the anger level in your city. You—yes, you—can help people to sleep better, laugh more, hum instead of grumble, walk instead of stumble. You can lighten the load and brighten the day of other human beings. And don’t be surprised when you begin to sense a newfound joy yourself. That’s what this book is about: the unexpected door to joy.

“And standing at the entryway to welcome you is Jesus of Nazareth.”

Max goes on, “Jesus was accused of much, but he was never ever described as a grump, sourpuss, or self-centered jerk. People didn’t groan when he appeared. They didn’t duck for cover when he entered the room.

“He called them by name. He listened to their stories. He answered their questions. He visited their sick relatives and helped their sick friends.

Max continues, “He fished with fishermen and ate lunch with the little guy and spoke words of resounding affirmation. He went to weddings. He was even placed in charge of the wine list at a wedding. He went to so many parties that he was criticized for hanging out with rowdy people and questionable crowds. Thousands came to hear him. Hundreds chose to follow him. They shut down their businesses and walked away from careers to be with him. His purpose statement read ‘I came to give life with joy and abundance’ (John 10:10 THE VOICE). Jesus was happy and wants us to be the same.

“When the angels announced the arrival of the Messiah, they proclaimed ‘good news of a great joy’ (Luke 2:10 RSV), not ‘bad news of a great duty.’… Our joy level matters to God.

“This is no call to naivete or superficial happy talk. Jesus spoke candidly about sin, death, and the needs of the human heart. Yet he did so with hope. He brought joy to the people of first-century Palestine. And he wants to bring joy to the people of this generation, and he has enlisted some special agents of happiness to do the job. You and me.”

Max later says, “You and I indwell a lonely planet. Broken hearts populate every office building. Discouragement mummifies countless lives. The world is desperate, yes, desperate, for a cavalry of kindness. We cannot solve every problem in society, but we can bring smiles to a few faces. And who knows? If you brighten your corner of the world and I do the same in mine, a quiet revolution of joy might break out.”

I want to be a part of that revolution, don’t you? 

Yes, yes!