But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an INEXPRESSIBLE AND GLORIOUS JOY, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Some goals in life are easier to realize and celebrate than others. I remember when I was in college I started a window washing business. My goal each day was to create a mirror of sorts, highlighting God’s creation in the reflection behind me. A well cleaned window, when looked on, not only allows us to see through it, but also reflects the beauty behind it.

I think this a very good picture of what it looks like to live an active and productive life with joy. In life, we are not always happy about the current circumstances or events. Sometimes they are downright evil or brutally hard.

But if we allow God’s Spirit to clean up and heal our hearts, we can proceed forward in a trial while simultaneously having joy. Why? Because we not only see through the trial to the end goal, but we also see the reflection of the good God has done in the past. He fuels us through the future trials, in part, with his past works of provision, faithfulness, and deliverance that build our faith.

Paul and Barnabas were clearly not happy about the persecution, the hostility, and the “kicking out” they received from these leaders – simply for telling the truth about Jesus. They shook the dust off their feet to place them under God’s judgment. Anger, frustration, bitterness, and feeling underappreciated are all natural emotions that come after such an attack on the gospel. They had just been forced to leave the important work of discipling new believers and leading others to Christ in the previous city. (What we do with these emotions determines our path forward.)

As they went to Iconium, they were filled with joy and the Spirit of God. What a contrast of spirit! How were they able to be filled with joy after such troubling circumstances?

They did this by allowing God’s Spirit to help them clean the window of their life, so to speak. He heals and restores us as we are injured in body or spirit, in serving him. This cleansing process allowed them to see through the window of life, to the future-goal of salvation in Iconium, and to see the reflection of God’s great faithfulness in the past, on so many occasions. And so on the heels of great disappointment and trial … they were filled with incredible joy and God’s Spirit!

“The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

So how clean is my life’s window today? Will I submit to a cleansing by God’s Spirit (through prayer and reflection on his Word) so I can see the path forward and see the reflection of his faithfulness in the past? Then I can truly have joy that quickly follows troubling circumstances and respond in praise to God and with devotion to his call and work!

Lord, wash my heart, clean out the wounds, and heal the open sores this world leaves me with. Clean the window of my life! I want to see you clearly! I want to see the powerful work you will accomplish through me in the future and RELIVE THE VICTORIES of your faithfulness to me in the past. Shine on me Lord!