Joy Illustrations
2073 illustrations evoking joy
The Example of Love - Quote
There was a small, struggling community garden in the heart of our town. At first glance, it seemed like a patch of weeds and broken dreams. But within this garden, a group of neighbors began to gather each week. They...
From Seventy Souls to a Mighty Nation: A Reflection on Growth and Providence
In the opening chapters of Exodus, we meet a small band of seventy souls—descendants of Jacob, who journey into Egypt seeking safety and sustenance. Picture them: weary travelers with sun-kissed faces and heavy hearts, clutching their meager belongings, eyes filled...
The Shawshank Redemption: Freedom Offered, Freedom Chosen - Wesleyan
In the heart of *The Shawshank Redemption*, we witness an extraordinary transformation within the confines of a grim prison. Andy Dufresne, a man wrongfully incarcerated, spends nearly two decades quietly chiseling away at the stone walls of despair. His hands,...
A Story of Salvation - Quote
Deborah, a remarkable figure in the Old Testament, stands as a beacon of transformation. In a time when women were often silenced, she rose as a judge and prophetess, guiding her people with wisdom and courage. Imagine the weight on...
The Pursuit of Happyness: Walking and Not Fainting - Wesleyan (Isaiah 40:31)
In the heart of San Francisco, there was a man named Chris Gardner, whose journey from homelessness to triumph embodies the profound message of Isaiah 40:31. Picture him: weary and worn, standing in the cold shadows of the city, a...
The Chosen: Jesus Training the Disciples - Christocentric (Proverbs 22:6)
Picture a sun-drenched afternoon in a neighborhood park, where the laughter of children fills the air like music. A father stands at the edge of the playground, watching his daughter, Kayla, as she teeters on the brink of the jungle...
Jesus Revolution: Radical Beatitude Community - Charismatic (Matthew 5:3-12)
Imagine a small, sun-drenched park in the heart of a bustling city, where the sounds of laughter and music blend with the distant hum of traffic. Among the trees and colorful picnic blankets, a group of young adults gathers every...
When Mercy - Quote
There was a small village where a young man named Samuel lived, filled with dreams of traveling the world and sharing stories of hope. But one fateful night, in a moment of poor judgment, he made a choice that led...
Left Behind: Joy in Tribulation Trials - Dispensational (James 1:2-4)
Imagine a bustling city, lights flickering like stars against a velvet sky, where people rush to catch their trains, their lives intertwined in a hurried dance. Among them is Sarah, a young woman who has just received news that her...
War Room: Personal Fruit From Personal Devotion - Baptist (Galatians 5:22-23)
In the film *War Room*, we witness a profound transformation in Elizabeth’s life—a journey that begins in the clutter of her chaotic world and culminates in a sacred space filled with prayer and purpose. Picture Elizabeth, a weary wife and...
Lessons from Salvation - Biblical Analogy
In a small village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a humble potter named Eli. His hands, stained with clay and filled with the scars of labor, shaped each vessel with care and intention. Every morning, he would rise before...
Science Illustration: Engineering and Building for the Common Good
A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting a local engineering firm that was tasked with designing a bridge meant not just to connect two towns, but to unite their communities. As I walked through the bustling office,...
It's a Wonderful Life: Grace Redeems the Broken Story - Wesleyan (Romans 8:28)
Picture this: it’s Christmas Eve in the dusty little town of Bedford Falls. The snow falls gently, blanketing the streets in a soft, white hush. George Bailey, played by James Stewart, stands on the old bridge, looking out at the...
Jesus Revolution: Scripture and Spirit Together - Charismatic (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Imagine a vibrant church in Southern California during the late 1960s, where the air is thick with anticipation and the scent of ocean breeze mingles with the warmth of hope. A charismatic pastor named Chuck Smith, with his well-thumbed Bible...
Jesus Revolution: The Shepherd's Anointing Overflows - Charismatic (Psalm 23)
Picture a sun-drenched hillside in California during the vibrant days of the Jesus People movement in the late 1960s. The air is thick with the scent of wildflowers mingling with the earthy aroma of the ground beneath countless feet. Young...
Jesus Revolution: Faith Expecting the Supernatural - Charismatic (Hebrews 11:1-6)
Imagine for a moment a bustling street corner in San Francisco, alive with the sounds of clattering streetcars and the mingling of voices. Among the crowd stands a young woman named Sarah. She’s praying fervently, her heart heavy with a...
War Room: Spirit-Empowered Witness - Pentecostal (1 Peter 3:15)
In the heart of a bustling city, there was a quaint coffee shop called *Brews & Blessings*, where the aroma of freshly ground beans mingled with the warmth of community. It was here that Elizabeth, a woman once lost in...
Woodlawn: Revival by the Spirit - Baptist (Acts 2)
In the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, during the turbulent 1970s, a struggling high school football team found itself at the epicenter of a remarkable transformation. *Woodlawn* tells the story of this team, but it is far more than just a...
I Can Only Imagine: God's Good Plan Through Pain - Baptist (Jeremiah 29:11)
Bart Millard grew up in a small Texas town, a place where the sun blazed down relentlessly, but the shadows in his home felt even darker. His childhood was a mosaic of brokenness—a father whose love was as volatile as...
Courageous: Personal Obedience to the Commission - Baptist (Great Commission)
In the movie *Courageous*, there’s a poignant scene that stays with you long after the credits roll. Picture this: a group of fathers, each grappling with their own failures and dreams, gather in a dimly lit church basement, the air...
The Mission: Mission Prayer in Action - Missional (Matthew 6:9-13)
Imagine a bustling village deep within the Amazon rainforest, where the vibrant sounds of life fill the air. The laughter of children echoes as they splash in the river, while the aroma of wood smoke and traditional cooking wafts from...
The Letters: Mother Teresa as Light of Calcutta - Catholic (Matthew 5:13-16)
In the heart of Calcutta, where the streets are alive with the vibrant chaos of life, Mother Teresa walked as if she were a living embodiment of Matthew 5:13-16. Picture this: the sun rises over the city, casting a warm...
Andrei Rublev: Trinitarian Love Revealed - Orthodox (1 John 4:7-8)
In the heart of Moscow, nestled within the serene walls of the Tretyakov Gallery, hangs a painting that transcends mere canvas and paint—a divine invitation to experience love itself. It is Andrei Rublev's *Trinity*, a masterpiece that breathes with the...
Lessons from Kindness - Quote
Last spring, a small community garden sprang to life in our neighborhood. It was a simple plot of land, but the heart behind it was rooted in kindness. A few families came together, sharing seeds, soil, and stories—each person contributing...