While in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance this month, a Christmas song kept coming to mind. One of my favorites, the song is written from Mary’s perspective and helps us identify with her -

Standing here beside the manger, looking at this little stranger,
wondering if He’ll be like other boys?
Looking down across tomorrow, knowing there will be some
sorrow, I still know He’ll bring ten thousand joys!

When I am alone with Jesus, in the quiet where no one sees us,
or when He is with me in life’s lows,
If I speak, I know He’ll hear me and to know that He is near me
Always brings to me ten thousand joys!

I know He came from God to save us from our sins,
And that He came to set His people free.
But how was I to know when Jesus came into my life,
That God’s own Son had come to bring to me

Ten thousand joys! Sweet Son of God You came to me!
And my heart sings because I know that You are mine!
In you I find ten thousand joys—
enough to last through all the years,
And joy to shine through all my tears: Ten thousand joys!

You guessed it—the song is titled “Ten Thousand Joys.” Why would the chorus play over and over in my head while in Malaysia in July? Because of a very serious warning about Malaysian law: the penalty for converting a Muslim to faith in Christ in Malaysia is ten years in prison and a fine of ten thousand Ringgit (Malaysian currency). What would you think if you were given that warning? Would you give $10,000 RM to lead someone to Jesus? Would you trade ten years of your life to spare someone a Christ-less eternity? Are “Ten Thousand Joys” just for us, or for a world that is perishing?

As we breathe a sigh of relief that we are free to share our faith without consequence, the scope of the trade-off changes. Is it worth ten minutes to share Jesus with a neighbor bound for hell? Is a tenth of what God has blessed you with too much for Him to ask as His tithe? Are you considering the cost for perhaps “Two Dozen Joys”? This week, when you are “alone with Jesus,” ask Him what He would have you do in response to His gift of joy.