What is it about her video that has captured so much attention?

I think it’s pure joy.

Payne recently shared how she came to buy the mask at Kohl’s:  “I honestly wasn’t there for the mask,” Payne told Good Morning America.  “I was there for myself for some yoga pants because I’m trying to work out more.  And it’s not really going that well, but I ended up going to the toy section because I got discouraged about the yoga pants and I thought, ‘Maybe not today.  But I can get a toy for my kids.’  And I walk through the toy section and I accidentally bumped my shoulder into this box.  And I had seen this before, but I didn’t realize it made sounds until that moment.  It accidentally started making the growl, and I went, ‘I need to get that.  Like, I don’t think my kids need that; I think I need that.’”

She was so excited about her find, that a few minutes later in her car, she couldn’t resist opening the box and putting on the Chewbacca mask while making a Facebook video for her friends.  She enjoyed it so much that she erupted in jubilant laughter, and it was her joy that has become infectious.

Candace shared on Good Morning America that the best note she received as a result of her video is from a mom who has a daughter with autism who laughed over and over for the first time in over two months as she watched Candace’s hilarious stunt.  “From one mama heart to another mama, to see a child laugh that you haven’t seen laugh, those are the stories that I’m going to take with me every day,” said Candace. *

Now consider the source of true, abiding joy…  It is found in Jesus.

The Apostle Peter wrote a letter to some Christians who were undergoing intense persecution (1 Peter 1:6-7).  Yet, he acknowledged that they had true joy even in dire circumstances:  “Though you have not seen Him (Jesus), 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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).

That true, abiding joy comes from knowing that through Jesus, we are cleansed of our sins, reconciled to God, and on our way to heaven!

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Joy is the byproduct of salvation in Christ.  When a man from Ethiopia learned about Jesus from Philip and was baptized into Christ, he “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36-39).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).  True joy comes from knowing Christ.

Won’t YOU trust and obey Jesus today?  Then, YOU can know true joy!