The word is χαρα (CHARA) and is found frequently through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and especially in John, but only once in Mark. It is absent from the first letter to the Corinthians, yet it is used three times in the verb form (χαιρω). Paul employs the word frequently in the second letter as well as the verb form. No matter which modern translation us may use, the word is woven throughout the scriptures. I believe that this is no phenomena, because the scriptures produce this emotion by what the Good News reveals. Have you figured it out yet? The word so frequently written in the scriptures is “JOY.” Who could read of the saving power of Jesus, look at their own sinful life, and realize Christ made forgiveness and redemption a reality for every soul destined to Hell’s fires. To realize we do have hope in Jesus is such good news. With such hope it cannot help producing a joy that bubbles over; so when you see others smiling today they are just revealing the χαρα that is filling their hearts.

Have you ever set one of those bags in the microwave, you know with the popcorn inside. The movie is about to start and you tap your foot as those 2 minutes tick off the oven’s counter. Then the bell sounds and you grab the bag only to burn your fingers by the steam when you open it’s “easy to open corners.”  Then just as the movie begins you pour those puffy white morsels into a bowl. Hey, wait a minute; half the kernels didn't pop. What a rip off!  It just ruins the whole night; the movie isn’t as good and you feel cheated and more than a little bummed.
Well, now take a second and consider that you are the bag and each kernel represents a piece of your life to fulfill. You have great potential to fulfill your purpose because God has given you what you need to do so. Your responsibility is to act and not doubt…you are just supposed to “pop.” Perhaps it is hard for you to think about popping, when you are thinking about those lingering days of summer when you were on the stalk in the field, or maybe you are dreaming of what will happen when your folded up and thrown in the container under the sink. Is that why not all your kernels are not popped? Is this the reason many are just laying in the bottom of your bag. When we don’t fulfill our designed purpose for life we miss out on many of the promises of God. It takes heat to make those kernels pop just like it takes you being in the heat to bring out that golden potential hidden and untapped. God places so many “kernels” in us to grow His kingdom and further His cause. So, the next time you find yourself eating some good ole' popcorn check to see if all of the kernels popped and ask yourself, "Am I living out the potential to tap everything God has given me to do?" If you haven't, it's time to get popping!