Scripture: Luke 10:21a CEB “At that very moment, Jesus overflowed with joy from the Holy Spirit …” Have you ever seen pictures or experienced firsthand when cities open a fire hydrant? Usually, cities do this periodically to release pressure from the lines and to ensure that the fire hydrant is working properly. Occasionally, cities have been known to open the fire hydrants when it is really hot. This allows the kids to cool off as the water is released. A New Yorker article featured pictures of kids playing in the water streaming out of the overflowing fire hydrant. Not only was the water cooling everyone down, it was also bringing a lot of laughter and joy. The water was flowing from the source, overflowing out from the pipes underneath the streets through the fire hydrant and offering relief to the people around. What a fun scene and what a great way to offer relief to people on a hot day. Whenever I read this passage about Jesus, I think of this type of scene. I know there was no water flowing from anywhere near Jesus in this story. However, I can picture in my mind a steady stream of the Holy Spirit flowing from its source in heaven down through Jesus and overflowing out to the people around him. How contagious would it have been to see Jesus overflowing with joy from the Holy Spirit? I would have so loved to be there in that moment. To see Jesus smiling and laughing with joy because of what the Holy Spirit was doing in and through him. To be downright giddy because of what God, the Father, was doing in his midst. What a privilege and pleasure it would be to have witnessed that firsthand. Have you ever experienced this type of joy from the Holy Spirit? Have you known anyone else who had this type of joy? The people who seem to experience this type of joy are typically very mature in their faith. They seem to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that they feel exceeding joy when the work of the Holy Spirit is accomplished in and through them. The joy will usually manifest itself in excitement, laughter, and contentment. If you have experienced this type of joy, you know that there is nothing quite like it. There also is no doubt that it is from God. In Jesus' case, the overflowing of joy came directly from the Holy Spirit because he was witnessing God revealing God’s purposes to those who needed to see them at the time. It was all part of God’s plan of redemption and the demonstration of God’s great love for humanity in Jesus Christ himself. Will you pray that the Holy Spirit may cause your spirit to overflow with joy today? If you will commit to do God’s will in all that you think, say, and do today, it very well may happen. Be on the lookout for the movement of the Holy Spirit. Where will you see God move today? As you recognize where God wants to move in and through you, the Holy Spirit will fill you. Give more and more of yourself and yield your will to what God wants for you today. It is in those times that the Holy Spirit can and will overflow out of our life. May you be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power today and every day. Prayer: Gracious and loving God, thank you for loving me and giving your Son, Jesus, on my behalf. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today. I pray that I will be made less and less today so that you will be made more and more. May your will be done through my thoughts, words, and actions. In the name of Jesus. Amen.