Joy Illustrations
2073 illustrations evoking joy
Chariots of Fire: Rest Through Sabbath Rhythm - Anglican (Matthew 11:28-30)
In the film *Chariots of Fire*, we see Eric Liddell, the Scottish runner, faced with an agonizing choice: to compete in the Olympics on a Sunday, a day sacred to him. It’s easy to see his decision as just stubbornness,...
Les Misérables: Following the Shepherd's Grace - Wesleyan (Psalm 23)
Picture this: a cold, moonlit night in 19th century France, where the shadows loom long and the world feels heavy with despair. Enter Jean Valjean, a man shackled not just by chains but by a lifetime of bitterness and regret....
Amazing Grace: The Via Media in Ethical Action - Anglican (Micah 6:8)
Picture a young William Wilberforce, a man of fervent faith and unyielding resolve, stepping into the cold, imposing halls of the British Parliament in the late 18th century. The air is thick with the scent of polished wood and ink,...
The Passion of the Christ: Mercy Secured at the Cross - Christocentric (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Imagine a small, dimly lit room in a bustling city, where an elderly woman named Mama Grace sits in her worn armchair, surrounded by a tapestry of family photos. The air is thick with the scent of freshly baked cornbread,...
Chariots of Fire: Running for the Lord - Traditional (Colossians 3:23-24)
In the film *Chariots of Fire*, there’s a moment when the world fades away, the tension mounts, and you can almost hear the heartbeat of the crowd as the sprinter Eric Liddell prepares for a race. Picture this: the sun...
Witness: Community Seasons - Anabaptist (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
In the heart of a vibrant Amish community in Pennsylvania, there’s a barn that stands as a testament to their shared rhythm of life. One autumn day, as the sun dipped low in the sky, painting the horizon with strokes...
Courageous: Faith That Produces Action - Baptist (Matthew 25:31-46)
In the film *Courageous*, we walk alongside a group of men who one day find themselves at a crossroads. In a poignant scene, they gather in the early morning light, cups of coffee steaming, hearts heavy with the weight of...
The Example of Joy - Quote
There once lived a woman named Rachel, a faithful servant in her small community. Despite the struggles of life, Rachel was a beacon of joy. She had faced hardship—losing her husband to illness and raising her children alone—but never did...
Chariots of Fire: Joy in Principled Trials - Anglican (James 1:2-4)
Imagine standing on the sun-drenched track of the Paris Olympic Stadium in 1924, the air thick with anticipation and the roar of the crowd. There, in the midst of excitement and expectation, was Eric Liddell—an athlete whose very name had...
Daily Reflection: Joy - Biblical Insight
As we gather our thoughts in this moment of reflection, let’s turn to the poignant words of Jesus in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." These words are not just profound theological assertions; they are...
Jesus Revolution: Encounter Testimony - Charismatic (1 Peter 3:15)
In the vibrant chaos of the 1970s, amidst the flower power and the echoes of rock music, a movement surged—a wave of seekers hungry for truth and connection. Picture a sun-drenched afternoon in California, where young people gathered on the...
I Can Only Imagine: The Only Way Home - Baptist (John 14:1-6)
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the hospital room, Bart Millard sat at the bedside of his father, Arthur, who was fighting the final battle against cancer. The air was thick with a...
Luther (2003): Catechism and Household Training - Lutheran (Proverbs 22:6)
Imagine a cozy kitchen filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, sunlight streaming through the window, illuminating the faces of a young family gathered around the table. At the head of the table sits Sarah, a loving mother who...
The Mission: Training Converts in the Way - Missional (Proverbs 22:6)
In the film *The Mission*, we journey alongside Jesuit priests, navigating the rugged landscapes of 18th-century South America, where faith meets the wilderness. Picture the vibrant hues of the jungle, the sounds of cascading waterfalls, and the echoes of the...
Amazing Grace: Hannah More and the Clapham Children - Reformed (Proverbs 22:6)
Imagine a sun-drenched morning in the heart of 19th-century England. The air hums with the chatter of children playing in the gardens of Clapham, a quaint village alive with the spirit of change. Among the bright-eyed children, we find the...
Amazing Grace: Salt and Light in Parliament - Reformed (Matthew 5:13-16)
Imagine the crowded, smoke-filled chambers of the British Parliament in the early 1800s, a cacophony of voices rising and falling like the waves of a turbulent sea. Among the throng of politicians, one determined figure stands out: William Wilberforce. With...
Evening Prayer: Digital Discipleship
Dear Heavenly Father, As I pause to consider the significance of Digital Discipleship in my life, I turn to the wisdom of Ephesians 4:29, which teaches us: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only...
Amish Grace: Communal Joy, Prayer, Thanks After Tragedy - Anabaptist (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
In the heart of Pennsylvania, the small, tight-knit community of Nickel Mines faced unimaginable sorrow when a gunman entered their one-room schoolhouse, shattering lives and innocence. Yet, in the aftermath of this tragedy, something remarkable unfolded—a testimony of faith that...
The Lord of the Rings: Hobbits Wonderfully Made for Purpose - Reformed (Psalm 139:13-16)
Imagine the lush green hills of the Shire, where the sun kisses the earth and the gentle sound of a stream flows nearby. In this enchanting land, you might overlook the hobbits—small, unassuming creatures with big feet and simple lives....
The Mission: Sacramental Grace in the Wilderness - Catholic
In the film *The Mission*, we are drawn into the lush green heart of the South American jungle, where Father Gabriel, played by Jeremy Irons, is not just a man of faith, but a beacon of hope for the Guaraní...
Hidden Figures: Excellence as Resistance - Black Church (Colossians 3:23-24)
In the film *Hidden Figures*, we meet three extraordinary women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who navigated the oppressive confines of a segregated NASA in the 1960s. Picture them, sitting shoulder to shoulder in a cramped office, their minds ablaze...
The Letters: Mother Teresa's Love Made Visible - Catholic (1 John 4:7-8)
In the heart of Calcutta, where the vibrant hues of the marketplace mingle with the somber realities of poverty, there lived a woman who transformed despair into hope through her profound love—Mother Teresa. Picture her, small in stature but overflowing...
The Passion of the Christ: Christ Who Was Knit Together - Christocentric (Psalm 139:13-16)
Imagine a quiet evening in a modest home on the outskirts of Nazareth, where the air is thick with the sweet aroma of baked bread and the soft glow of oil lamps flickers gently on the walls. In one of...
War Room: Wonderfully Made and Spirit-Empowered - Pentecostal (Psalm 139:13-16)
In the heart of a bustling city, there was a quaint little pottery studio run by a woman named Maria. Each day, she would knead the clay, feeling its cool, damp texture slip through her fingers. As she shaped each...